Climate Protestors Block Sydney Harbour Bridge

Climate Protestors Block Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge as seen in Sydney, Australia, on May 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
AAP
By AAP
4/12/2022
Updated:
4/12/2022

Climate change activists, including a rural firefighter, have disrupted peak hour traffic in Sydney by parking a truck on the Cahill Expressway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

It comes as activist group Fireproof Australia follow through on its vow to continue demonstrating, despite increased police powers.

New South Wales Police confirmed a police operation was underway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Wednesday and urged drivers to avoid the area.

The protesters blocked lanes on the Cahill Expressway near the south pylon, over Circular Quay and The Rocks.

The group of four blocked traffic by parking a truck in the left lane, with two people climbing on the cabin, while another two glued themselves to the bridge, a spokeswoman for Fireproof Australia told AAP.

Traffic levels across the Sydney Harbour Bridge are consistently high being a vital transport corridor for Sydneysiders. Sydney Harbour Bridge on June 13, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (David Rogers/Getty Images)
Traffic levels across the Sydney Harbour Bridge are consistently high being a vital transport corridor for Sydneysiders. Sydney Harbour Bridge on June 13, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (David Rogers/Getty Images)

One of the protesters, Alan, has been a firefighter in the Hunter Valley Rural Fire Service for 40 years, he said.

All four protesters are being arrested.

It comes after another member of Fireproof Australia ran onto the pitch with a lit flare during an NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers on Sunday.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of entering enclosed land without lawful excuse and was sentenced to three months in prison for possessing a bright light distress signal in a public place, in Sutherland Local Court on Monday.

Fireproof Australia is calling for the rehoming of flood and bushfire survivors, and the implementation of recommendations from the royal commission into the Black Summer bushfires.

The group has recently held multiple high-profile protests targeted at disrupting traffic and the movement of infrastructure, attracting the ire of the NSW government.

The government recently introduced laws that could lead to protesters facing fines of up to $22,000 and up to two years in prison.