Melbourne CBD security: Southern Cross Station gets anti-terror concrete bollards
UPDATE: MANY of Melbourne’s most iconic CBD locations were ringed with 5 tonne bollards this morning, with more than 200 now dotted around the city. You’d better get used to them.
VIC News
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MORE than 100 concrete bollards appeared at key Melbourne locations overnight as the State Government continues its rollout of anti-terror bollards to prevent a vehicle-style attack similar to London or Nice.
Lines of giant bollards, each weighing 5 tonnes, were forklifted into place at eight locations - the most prominent at several locations along Southbank Boulevard, including opposite Crown Casino, outside Southern Cross Station and at Queen Victoria Market.
Up to 140 bollards were added to the 66 installed on June 10 in the Bourke St Mall and at Federation Square.
The new security measures are in place at:
* Queensbridge Square at Queensbridge Street, Southbank
* Queensbridge Square at the intersection with Southbank Boulevard footpath
* Boathouse Drive under Princes Bridge
* Federation Square at the Swanston Street/Flinders Street intersection
* Flinders Street Station at the Swanston Street/Flinders Street intersection
* Southern Cross Station between Collins Street and Lt Collins Street
* Southern Cross Station at Bourke Street
* Queen Victoria Market surrounds
Melbourne Council installed the bollards at the request of the State Government and Victoria Police.
The council said in a statement issued this morning: “The concrete barriers will provide greater security to people visiting and gathering in the city.
“We will continue to work closely with State Government and Victoria Police to ensure public areas are kept secure.”
Police Minister Lisa Neville said there were more bollards to go in around Melbourne at other unnamed locations.
“These are temporary, these are not what people will have to put up with forever,” she told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell this morning.
“It would be great if we didn’t need to have this, it does change the nature of our city a little bit.”
The bollards operation will cost several hundred thousand dollars and they won’t be replaced by permanent bollards for at least six months.
Between 30 to 40 bollards now line the entry to the busy Southern Cross station, preventing cars from entering.
Commuter Yohan Labrooy said the bollards would do little to stop a terror-related attack.
“At the end of the day, if people want to do damage with their cars in public places, they will,” he said.
Another commuter, Roger Graham, said the bollards were more of an eyesore than a deterrent for vehicles.
“I know the government wants to try and do something about these terror attacks but this doesn’t really stop them” he said.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on June 10 concrete structures would be placed at popular CBD sites, without notice.
The Sunday Herald Sun first revealed the bollards would be installed across the city and reported in April a new public siren system would also be set up across the CBD.
More concrete barriers around city today. Temporary only, but necessary as advised by @VictoriaPolice. Permanent solution w be more elegant!
— Robert Doyle (@LordMayorMelb) June 22, 2017
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