PORT Botany 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.
It was 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.
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.
In a joint statement, NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals confirmed NSW Police’s response 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 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.
In an updated statement, NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals added that NSW Police resolved the incident on Friday night, and thanked them for their swift action in removing protesters on each occasion during the week.
“We also thank those businesses at the port, as well as port users, who have assisted in mitigating the impact of these incidents,” they said.
“NSW Ports and terminal operators have 24/7 security in place at the ports and will continue to work with response agencies and port operators in relation to any such incidents.”
Friday afternoon’s demonstration follows two other acts that day, 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 on Friday 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 on Friday 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.
NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals said in their updated statement that the past four days of protests had little impact on operations.
“These incidents caused minimal disruption to port operations, with blockages being of relatively short duration – in the case of road blockages, this ranged from 30 minutes to 2 hours,” they said.
“Protestor activities on rail caused minimal to no disruption.”
Demonstrations at Port Botany continued into the weekend, with one protester arrested at Banksmeadow on Saturday morning.
NSW Police said in a statement that emergency services were called to Botany Road at around 0640 on Saturday following reports a man had suspended himself over a freight rail line near the Beauchamp Road intersection.
“Officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command and Police Rescue attended and the man was removed within 20 minutes,” NSW Police said.
According to Blockade Australia, the 29-year-old activist named Wenz abseiled off the bridge in an attempt to block rail access to and from the port.
He was taken to Mascot Police station where he faced multiple charges including endangering safety and failing to comply with directions.
This article has been updated to include further comment from NSW Ports and coverage of Saturday morning’s incident.
