Extinction Rebellion activist scales spire at Melbourne’s Arts Centre

A protester is in custody after he scaled the spire at Melbourne’s Arts Centre, climbing more than 160m high for climate change action.

A protester is in custody after he scaled the spire of Melbourne’s Arts Centre, calling for climate change action.

The Extinction Rebellion activist unveiled a huge pink banner with the words “occupy for climate” on Friday.

The man climbed up the spire of the building, mounting the triangular sign more than 160m off the ground.

Armed police officers manned the scene while about 30 other protesters chanted through megaphones and held colourful posters with the words “climate chaos = war + famine” and “climate extinction”.

An Extinction Rebellion protester has scaled the spire at the Arts Centre. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The protester was arrested by Victoria Police. Picture: Jane Morton

The protesters also set up tents on the grass outside the St Kilda Rd building.

Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Jane Morton told the Herald Sun the group were planning to disrupt the CBD in protest of climate action.

“This is the climate endgame,” she said.

“People don’t realise how significant this disaster is.

“Our climate is spiralling out of control – and the globally leading scientists are the ones telling us this.”

Ms Morton said Brad, the man who scaled the building, did it for his son.

“Brad has a son and he wanted to do something brave, something dramatic, and something that would get noticed,” she said.

Brad, who remained securely clipped on the roof’s net structure while executing the stunt, said he was “initially a bit nervous”.

Other protesters held signs and set up tents on the outside of the building. Picture: Nicki Connolly

They also chanted climate change messages. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“But, this is what we’ve got to do to draw attention to what is an existential crisis,” he said.

“We’re risking the collapse of human civilisation as we know it.

“Personal sacrifice is a big part of what we do and we’re willing to make personal sacrifices to raise the alarm about the climate ecological emergency.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the man was arrested after he climbed down.

“The protest was mainly peaceful and one man was arrested following alleged public nuisance offences, after he climbed up a building,” she said.

“He is assisting police with their inquiries.”

It comes after a climate protester was arrested for gluing himself to a Picasso painting at the National Gallery of Victoria in October last year.

It’s understood no damage was done to the artwork during the demonstration.

The group plan to further disrupt the CBD from May 25 to May 27.