Fourth climate protester charged as Port Botany freight rail disruptions continue

A group of climate protesters who sparked traffic chaos at a major industrial hub are set to face court, while two are set to be deported.

A fourth person has been charged with endangering the safety of the community following multiple unauthorised protests across Sydney.

Blockade Australia protesters have taken to Port Botany in Sydney’s southeast for the past four days, sparking traffic chaos at the industrial hub before allegedly staging protests on three separate occasions on Friday.

NSW Police established Strike Force Guard to stop the ongoing protests, with more officers expected to monitor the freight gateway.

Emergency services were called to Botany Road at Banksmeadow about 6.40am on Saturday after a man suspended himself over a freight rail line.

The man was taken down and arrested within 15 minutes.

Protester Emma Dorge suspended above the water and across freight lines in Mascot and eventually brought down by police. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The 29-year-old was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with endanger the safety of a person on a railway, refuse/fail to comply with direction, risk safety of others by abseiling/jumping off a building, encourage the carrying on operation for commission of crime, and owner not disclose the identity of a driver/passenger.

NSW Police revealed the man was originally from Queensland.

He is due to face Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.

It comes after three people were charged overnight and faced court on Saturday.

Emergency services rushed to the freight rail line over a canal at Qantas Drive in Tempe about 7am Friday following reports a group gathered at the location and a woman allegedly suspended herself from a pole.

Police attended and removed 25-year-old protester Emma Dorge.

She was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with endanger safety of person on railway, remain on enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, refuse/fail to comply with direction and encourage the carrying on operation for commission of crime.

Police attended and removed 25-year-old serial protester Emma Dorge. Picture: Jeremy Piper

About 10.45am, emergency services were called to another freight rail line near the intersection of Meeks and Victoria Roads at Marrickville, following reports a different group gathered in front of a freight train.

Sharon Hodge, 62, allegedly climbed on top of a carriage and sat there in protest.

She was removed by police as the rest of the group fled before officers arrived.

The 62-year-old was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, endanger safety of person on railway and cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock.

Emergency services were again called to Port Botany about 2.10pm with reports 26-year-old Maxim Curmi allegedly suspended himself from a crane.

Following an extensive operation, he was retrieved and arrested about 7.30pm and taken to Maroubra Police Station.

He was charged with endanger person on railway, remain in a waterside restricted zone when not authorised, refuse to comply with direction, encourage the carrying on operation for commission of crime, and risk safety of another by climbing a building or structure.

Sharon Hodge, 62, allegedly climbed on top of a carriage and sat there in protest.

All three were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

Two brothers accused of taking part in the major disruptions are expected to be deported back to Germany.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has used his powers to cancel their temporary working visas on “good order” grounds, it was revealed on Thursday.

“In the advice I received there were people needing medical treatment that were delayed by these people causing trouble,” Mr Hawke told 2GB host Ray Hadley on Thursday.

“It’s unacceptable and we’re going to take a very tough stand.”

Border Force will remove the brothers from Australia as soon as possible.

Originally published as Fourth climate protester charged as Port Botany freight rail disruptions continue