Animal Liberation Tasmania protest causes Tasman Bridge traffic delays

POLICE have issued a firm warning to activists who disrupt traffic and distract motorists following a protest on the Tasman Bridge that threw peak-hour traffic into chaos.

Getting around in Hobart’s CBD was frustrating to say the least. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

POLICE have issued a firm warning to activists who disrupt traffic and distract motorists following a protest on the Tasman Bridge that threw peak-hour traffic into chaos.

Two people have been charged after the animal rights protest when two people allegedly climb onto the gantry on top of Hobart’s Tasman Bridge and hook themselves on to the bridge.

The chaos was compounded by a failure of the computer system that co-ordinates traffic lights throughout greater Hobart, causing further traffic mayhem on major arterial routes.

Tasmania Police acting inspector Philippa Burk said the protest during morning peak-hour was dangerous for those involved, severely disrupted traffic and posed a risk to motorists.

“Peak-hour traffic was thrown into chaos, the safety of the two protesters on the gantry of the bridge was a risk and the actions of the protesters could have resulted in a crash on the bridge,” she said.

“Motorists were distracted crossing the bridge.”

Animal Liberation Tasmania activists lined up on the Tasman Bridge this morning after dropping a large banner from overhanging signage. Picture: FACEBOOK

Inspector Burk urged protesters to find safer platforms for future protests, and contact Tasmania Police before embarking on such demonstrations.

“Tasmania Police appreciates that people have the democratic right to protest but actions such as this will not be tolerated,” she said.

A 22-year-old man from Howrah and a 29-year-old woman from Rosny were charged with trespass and create a common nuisance following the incident.

Davey St traffic at 9.30am. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

They were bailed to appear at the Hobart Magistrates Court on November 21.

Inspector Burk said she noticed the protesters while she was driving across the Tasman Bridge.

She said a lane of traffic was closed and search and rescue were called to attend, but the protesters voluntarily removed themselves from the bridge following police negotiation.

There were about 20 to 30 protesters from Animal Liberation Tasmania on the walkway of the bridge waving placards.

They were allowed to remain on the bridge.

The animal rights group issued an apology to the public.

“ALT is very sorry for the inconvenience caused to people, as blocking lanes of traffic was never our intention and we did not believe it would be necessary if we complied with police,” Animal Liberation Tasmania spokeswoman Mehr Gupta said.

She said it was disappointing the group had been criticised for the traffic chaos, when it was not their intention to close a lane of traffic.

RSPCA criticises bridge protest ANIMAL welfare organisation the RSPCA has distanced itself from the dramatic protest that played out on the Tasman Bridge yesterday. The Tasmanian branch of the RSPCA said an alternative form of protest could have better highlighted the protesting group’s concerns about animal rights. “There are other ways to protest that would have had a better outcome,” RSPCA Tasmania chief executive Peter West said. “In this day and age there is social media campaigns, email blasts to authorities and tried-and-true Parliament House lawns type protests.” Renowned animal rights activists Emma Haswell stressed that her Brightside Farm Sanctuary was not involved with the protest. Animal Liberation Tasmania, which organised the bridge protest, said the action was aimed at raising awareness about alleged practices at Gretna Quality Meats. But Gretna Quality Meats proprietor Michael Munnings has denied any wrongdoing and is co-operating with officers from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.

The disruption caused delays of up to an hour for motorists heading into Hobart from the Eastern Shore.

Further traffic mayhem was caused across greater Hobart by a disruption to the computer system of some State Government departments, including State Growth and its central traffic computer that co-ordinates traffic lights.

State Roads general manager Shane Gregory said this meant there was no central co-ordination of traffic flow.

The computer outage caused delays on the Brooker Highway heading into Hobart, reportedly as far back as Chigwell.

It also delayed traffic heading into Hobart along the Southern Outlet, which was further hampered by a minor car accident.

Mr Gregory said the disruption did not stop traffic lights from working and there had been no danger to motorists.

The Government computer outage disrupted several other Government departments and triggered emergency protocols as a precautionary measure at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

It was caused by a 4am power disruption, triggered by an air conditioning fault that set off the fire alarm at the Tasmania Police data centre.

Information Technology and Innovation Minister Michael Ferguson said all communications systems were restored by 10.40am and traffic control systems were operating as normal. The incident will be reviewed.

The Community and Public Sector Union said the outage could have had “disastrous” consequences.

Originally published as Animal Liberation Tasmania protest causes Tasman Bridge traffic delays