Climate protester hangs from spire of Melbourne building for 4 hours

He lit a flare and unfurled a massive banner in a bid to demand more attention on a looming global crisis.

A man has climbed a spire to protest delayed climate action. Picture: Sunrise​

A man spent four hours clinging to a Melbourne tower to attract national attention for a looming global crisis.

The man scaled a spire atop the Melbourne Arts Centre and unfurled a sign bearing the logo of climate action protest group Extinction Rebellion.

They are one of a number of protest groups linked to a series of international stunts, including throwing food at famous pieces of art, scaling structures at nerve-racking heights and disrupting public transport routes.

The man reportedly lit a flare while clinging to the tower from a significant height above the ground.

A man clings to a spire to protest delayed climate action. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

He was there for four hours. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

On the ground, a group of protesters erected a makeshift tent city and told reporters they were protesting the rising number of people displaced by worsening severe weather events brought on by climate change.

Thousands of homes were either completely destroyed or uninhabitable after catastrophic floods tore through the NSW Northern Rivers about a year ago.

Many remain in temporary accommodation as the region struggles to rebuild, and a lack of affordable housing has put lives on hold.

The tent city erected at Melbourne Arts Centre. Picture: Facebook

About a dozen protesters stayed on the site for hours. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Protesters chanting ‘power to the people’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

The groups is livestreaming the event on Facebook.

Protesters have bunkered down in tents and others are holding signs and chanting “power to the people”.

Police, paramedics and fire and rescue crews are on the scene.

One of the protesters on the ground talking on a livestream. Picture: Facebook

Red-robed figures known as the ‘Red Rebel Brigade’ are a common feature at climate protests. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Reports suggest they represent the bloodshed of all species on Earth. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

This event is the first major disruptive action in months after a series of dramatic stunts were executed by climate protesters in Sydney last year.

It became commonplace for the city’s streets and transport networks to be shut down as protesters tied themselves to ropes and hung from makeshift structures in April 2022.

Extinction Rebellion has planned three days of protest action next month in Melbourne from May 25-27.

Originally published as Climate protester hangs from spire of Melbourne building for 4 hours