The National Road Transport Association says the New South Wales government must redouble its efforts to secure vulnerable parts of the supply chain after the fiasco of a protest action at Port Botany this morning.
Roads surrounding the port were locked up after a climate activist occupied a flimsy treehouse on a pole near its entrance for several hours.
The chaos sparked angry reactions from Acting Premier Paul Toole and Transport Minister David Elliott.
“We’ve seen similar protest on metropolitan roads around Sydney in recent weeks and there will be more to come once the Federal election campaign starts in earnest,” said NatRoad CEO Warren Clark.
“That will be inconvenient for motorists but the financial cost will be borne by truck drivers and operators who are trying to earn a living.
“We are urging NSW Police to audit and secure vulnerable points of the supply chain.
“We saw the government play hardball with similar protests in rail corridors in the Hunter Region last year only to see activists bailed and return to the tracks the next day.
“It’s also vital that the state’s judiciary applies bail laws appropriately when a handful of people are charged for actions that disrupt the lives of many.”
A man has been charged following the unauthorised protest at Port Botany this morning.
About 6.20am today emergency services were called to Bumborah Point Road near the intersection of Friendship Road, Port Botany, following reports a group had gathered in the area, including a man who had suspended himself from a pole.
Police have been told a 23-year-old man attended Simblist Road, Port Botany, and allegedly disrupted the free-flow of traffic.
The man allegedly secured a 10m pole to the road and attached himself to the top of the pole using rope.
Officer attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended, removed the man from the pole and arrested him.
The man was taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with pedestrian obstruct driver’s/other pedestrian’s path and not obey direction of police/authorised person.
He was granted conditional bail and will appear before Waverley Local Court on April 20.