Due to increased concerns for public safety, police have decided protesters can now walk back across the Sydney Harbour Bridge once the march has reached the northern end.
Initial plans were for protesters were to walk north from the Wynyard end of the Bridge, then disperse in North Sydney; however, due to the public safety risk and prevailing weather conditions, a decision has been made to permit protesters to walk back southbound across the bridge to the Sydney CBD.
Operation commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson, said safety of the public and police has always been a top priority.
"Protesters now have the option of walking to the end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, then turning around and walking back to the Sydney CBD, which will be facilitated by specialist tactical police," he said.
"People who travelled from Sydney's northern suburbs can leave the group, and North Sydney Train Station will remain open and operating as originally intended, but due to the risk of a potential crowd crush scenario at the train station, we will now provide the third option of allowing protesters to walk back across the Bridge and disperse in the CBD.
"This means the Bridge will remain closed for a longer period than originally planned, until the operation concludes.
"I urge all involved to obey directions of police – they are acting in the best interests of everyone.
"Our planning and intent has always been to ensure the safety of everyone.
"We do not have an alternative," A/Assistant Commissioner Johnson said.
