Hundreds of police will be deployed targeting unlawful and anti-social behaviour during a planned public assembly in Sydney's CBD today, with protestors being urged to demonstrate peacefully.
Following a decision by the NSW Supreme Court, the public assembly will proceed through Sydney's CBD today (Sunday 3 August 2025), with participants walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In response to the planned protest, hundreds of officers from local and specialist commands will be briefed from 8am before the Harbour Bridge is shut at 11.30am to allow for the mobile assembly, with the aim of keeping the public safe and limiting interruptions where possible.
As part of the operation, general duties officers will be assisted by specialist police from the Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Group (OSG), Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, PolAir and other specialist commands.
The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the first priority for NSW Police is always the safety and security of the wider community.
Police will not tolerate unlawful behaviour or any actions that risk the safety of others and will not hesitate to take appropriate action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.
Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson, said the safety of the community will be the focus throughout the public assembly.
"The first and upmost priority for NSW Police is always the safety of those protesting, other members of the public who may be impacted by the protest, and the officers involved in the operation," A/Assistant Commissioner Johnson said.
"Police will have a high-visibility presence at the operation today and will work with participants to ensure there are no breaches of the peace.
"We ask all those who will be participating in the protest to please follow police directions and respect those around you. We also encourage other members of the public to avoid the area if possible.
"Any unlawful or dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated or any actions that risk the safety of others. Police will not hesitate to take appropriate action against anyone who commits a criminal offence," he said.
Transport for NSW Executive Director Operations Management, Craig Moran, said motorists and passengers should delay non-essential travel in the Sydney CBD and North Sydney during the closure.
"The closure will not only impact the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but will have a flow on effect throughout the public transport and road network," Mr Moran said.
"There will be significant delays and disruption so if you must travel, allow plenty of additional journey time, particularly for any critical travel, such as going to the Airport.
"There will be extensive queues in both directions to the Sydney Harbour Tunnel which will extend to the Western Distributor, Anzac Bridge, Rozelle Interchange as well as Eastern Distributor in the south, and also the Gore Hill Freeway and Lane Cove Tunnel and all of the roads linking into these major corridors.
"A reminder that due to scheduled trackwork Metro services will not run between Tallawong and Sydenham today.
"The L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford light rail will also truncate at Town Hall, and there will be no services between Town Hall and Circular Quay."
The public assembly will result in the closure of all north and southbound lanes of traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from around 11:30am to around 4pm, but may be later.
Transport for NSW will have additional staff deployed to key hubs including Town Hall, Central and City Circle stations to monitor crowds. Some bus routes will also be diverted around road closures in the CBD.
Please check livetraffic.com and transportnsw.info for details.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
