Terror safety boost on Princes Bridge but concrete bollards too heavy

MELBOURNE’S busy pedestrian walkway along the Princes Bridge has been lined with water-filled barricades after being identified as an at-risk location. But concrete bollards used elsewhere in the city were deemed too heavy.

The barricades are on both side of the Princes Bridge. Picture: Tony Gough

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MELBOURNE’S busy pedestrian walkway along the Princes Bridge has been terror-proofed after being identified as an at-risk location.

Water-filled barricades, seen at many public events and along roadworks, have been used to stop any potential ­vehicle-borne attacks.

The five-tonne concrete bollards that have been dotted around the city were unable to be used on the bridge because they are too heavy.

The orange and white water-filled barricades have not been given an expiry date but it is understood options for more permanent solutions are being considered.

The bollards shielding pedestrians from vehicle-borne attacks. Picture: Tony Gough

The pedestrian walkway has now been halved in size. Picture: Tony Gough

Melbourne’s CBD is being wrapped in giant barricades in a bid to thwart any possible copycat terror attacks involving cars or trucks as seen around the world and following January’s Bourke St massacre, where six people died and dozens were injured.

Police will allege Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 27, who has been charged with six counts of murder and 28 of attempted murder, used his car to mow down pedestrians in Bourke St Mall and Queen St during the busy lunchtime rush.

City of Melbourne spokeswoman Kathy Alys said police and the state government ordered the barriers be put on Princes Bridge.

“We will take direction from Victoria Police on whether we will need to place these types of barriers in other locations,” she said.

“The water-filled barriers have been used on Princes Bridge due to the load ­restrictions associated with the concrete blocks.”

The concrete blocks outside Southern Cross railway station. Picture: Getty Images

Concrete structures have been installed at popular public places such as Federation Square, the MCG, Queen Victoria Market, Flinders St ­station, Southern Cross station and Boathouse Drive under Princes Bridge to block ­unauthorised vehicle access.

The City of Melbourne was forced to defend its zig-zag-type placement of bollards in Southbank at Freshwater Place after they were branded “useless” because cars could still get through.

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The unsightly bollards around the city have resulted in street artists turning them into works of art with colours, slogans or covering them with materials.

As part of a $10 million safety upgrade to keep the city safe, an alert system will also be installed, enabling police to send out mass warnings of impending terror attacks or any other threat to public safety.

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