Speakers to broadcast terror warning in event of Melbourne city attack

TOP police have warned the festive season was a “heightened risk period for terrorism.” It comes as dozens of speakers are set to broadcast terror alert warnings in the event of an attack, with trials to be conducted at more than 90 city sites.

POLICE warnings to move, leave or stay would be broadcast at more than 90 city sites in the event of a terrorist or Bourke St-style attack.

Already, 65 sets of loudspeakers are in place at sites including Federation Square, Flinders St station and the Bourke St Mall.

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A test message and “wailing” standard emergency warning signal — alerting people that an emergency announcement is pending — will be transmitted over speakers installed at the State Library on December 28.

It comes as police warn there is an increased risk of terrorism over the festive season.

Terrorism experts are currently gathered in Melbourne for an international counter terrorism forum.

Victoria Police assistant commissioner Shane Patton said the festive season was a “heightened risk period for terrorism” not just in Victoria but across the globe.

“We have seen during the Christmas and festive period over last year and this year a heightened risk period for terrorism,” he said.

“It is correct to say that we are ensuring we do have a proper security overlay at all events and we are properly prepared for this time of the year.”

There are 65 sets of speakers in the city.

The loudspeakers at Federation Square. Picture: Josie Hayden

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the emergency warning speakers would be tested after Christmas.

“We want people to know this trial demonstration is coming so they don’t panic if they are in the area on December 28,” she said.

“We also want the public to know the technology is in operation.”

Police will decide when the speakers are used and what message is broadcast. Scripts suitable for various emergencies are being finalised.

The state government said the messages might require those in the CBD to “move to a particular area, leave a particular area, or move to or stay inside the nearest building”.

It’s understood most emergency messages would likely be read live by police, but there would also be a capacity to broadcast recorded messages.

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There will be a capacity to broadcast messages only to speakers in particular areas.

The loudspeakers are all to be in place next year.

The public address system is part of a $10 million CBD sec­urity upgrade in the wake of January’s Bourke St vehicle attack, in which six people died and dozens were injured.

Ms Neville told the Herald Sun: “These speakers are about keeping people safe and making sure we have all the tools … in the event of a major emergency. The new speaker system, as well as permanent bollards and CCTV, will provide even greater protection and warning.”

Victoria Police spokeswoman Leading Sen-Constable Melissa Seach said: “The CBD Public Address System will be one of the options available to us as part of our emergency responses to keep our city safe.”

Anti-terror bollards in Bourke St mall are among the city’s new security measures. Picture: David Crosling

“The alerts will not be prerecorded in the interim and will be used to alert the public during major emergencies to provide information,’’ Leading Sen-Constable Seach said.

“The messaging to the public may require people to leave a particular areas, evacuate to a nominated site or to remain in place.

“This is one of the many tools that will help us to communicate to the community during high risk incidents or in event of emergency.”

Permanent steel bollards and fixed planter boxes will be installed at nine sites. Extra CCTV will be rolled out next year.

Location-based phone text alerts, emergency broadcasts on radio and television and on-the-ground advice from police and emergency service personnel remain measures available during serious incidents.

Victoria Police is hosting the three-day conference, bringing together law enforcement agencies, emergency management, government and academia.

The theme of the Leadership in Counter Terrorism (LinCT) International Counter Terrorism Forum is Global Terrorism Prevention.