At approximately 5.00am on Saturday 30 April 2011, activists representing the Huon Environment Centre and Still Wild Still Threatened undertook protest action at the Macquarie No.3 Wharf, at Hobart. 

Protesters used a small craft to draw alongside the ‘Muroran’ vessel and climbed on board the vessel, resulting in loading to cease immediately due to safety concerns and workplace standards.  Police attended soon after and identified a number of protesters on board the vessel. 

Four protesters used lock-on devices to secure themselves to various sections of the vessel, and two protesters climbed crane cables, positioning themselves approximately 45 metres off the ground.  A high extension crane was required to be used to enable police to safely extract both the protesters from their positions.

In total 6 protesters were arrested for various offences relating to trespass and obstructing police.  

A total of 12 police from Hobart, Search and Rescue, Negotiations and Forensic Units attended the scene.  A risk assessment was undertaken by police to ensure a safe and peaceful resolution to the incident was able to be achieved.

"The extraction of the protesters from their positions within the cranes created significant safety issues for both the protesters and members of the Police Search and Rescue Team.  The failure by one of the protesters to comply with the instructions of police high above the ground was extremely dangerous and placed police and himself in unnecessary danger,” said Inspector Woolley, Officer-in-Charge of the Hobart Division.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2867