PORT Botany has experienced its most extreme demonstration on Friday in a week of brazen protest action. A protester scaled a Patrick Terminals crane and perched himself on it, high above the ground. A police operation is underway at the time of writing.
It is the third time on Friday a protester from climate activism group Blockade Australia attempted to disrupt port operations.
According to NSW Police, emergency services were called to Port Botany at 1410 following reports that a protester had suspended themselves from machinery.
In a joint statement, NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals said NSW Police is responding to the alleged breach of the maritime security zone at Patrick Terminals.
“Police responded immediately after a lone protester allegedly trespassed on Patrick Terminals’ Sydney AutoStrad terminal quay line and scaled a crane at the port, before abseiling from the crane to suspend himself above the quay line,” they said.
“Patrick Terminals and NSW Ports are working closely with police and other response agencies to resolve the incident.”
NSW Police, NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals have confirmed road and rail operations were not affected.
“The area in the vicinity of the crane has been isolated and port operations are continuing to operate as normal outside that area,” NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals said.
The activist, a 26-year-old named Max according to Blockade Australia, live streamed on Facebook as he climbed over port fencing and ran across the wharf to climb the crane.
The most recent demonstration follows two other acts today, in which one protester suspended themselves above a freight rail line, and another climbed onto a cargo train.
The woman who climbed the cargo train was arrested by NSW Police this morning.
A statement from NSW Police confirmed that emergency services were called to a freight rail line near the intersection of Meeks and Victoria Roads at 1045 this morning to respond to reports that a group had gathered in front of the train.
“The woman was arrested about 10 minutes later by officers attached to Inner West Police Area Command, assisted by Police Rescue,” the statement said.
The rest of the group left the scene before police arrived, but the woman was taken to Mascot Police Station where charges were anticipated.
