Police and East West Link protesters tangle in Glen Waverley. Source: HeraldSun
THE Linking Melbourne Authority has laughed off attempts by protesters to stop their planning of the East West Link.
About 40 demonstrators linked arms and blocked the main entrance, plus two back doors, to stop workers entering the Glen Waverley office from 7.30am.
Protest organiser Anthony Main said they wanted to disrupt any planning being done by the authority for the $8 billion road project, which will extend for 18km across Melbourne from the Eastern Freeway to the Western Ring Road.
He said he wanted the workers to be aware of how the project was going to impact the community and highlighted how families would lose their homes.
The authority is responsible for managing major road projects, including East West Link, on behalf of the government.
Despite a dozen people, mostly LMA executives, breaking the picket to enter work, Mr Main said the three-hour blockade was successful.
"We feel we have made an impact as only a few people have got in, so they are unable to work at full capacity," he said.
East West Link protesters make their point.
But an LMA spokesman said a tip-off about the action had put the authority one step ahead of the protesters.
“We had a pretty good idea they were coming yesterday afternoon, so most staff got here well before the protesters and some chose to work from the city,” he said.
“The protest had absolutely no impact on our work or on planning for the East West Link.”
After moving from the entrances and convening for a meeting in the carpark, the protesters called off the action about 10.30am.
Public order police had earlier threatened to arrest them for trying to stop people entering their workplace.
Mr Main responded: "We're here to shut down the offices and talk to the staff as they arrive.
Police and East West Link protesters tangle in Glen Waverley.
"There's no need for any pushing and shoving from the police. This is a peaceful protest."
Protesters shouted, "Shame" and, "It's not your house being bulldozed" as one authority worker pushed through the picket to get in to work.
As another woman arrived, police barged through the barricade to allow a path for her to enter.
While one worker bunny-hopped over a hedge to avoid the protesters and enter the building.
Insp Robert May said it was mostly a peaceful protest, apart from the "argy-bargy where we've facilitated entry for workers and contractors".
"Our role is to facilitate their right to protest, as well as ensure employers can attend work if they wish," he said.
He admitted these types of events were a waste of police resources.
"Police resources can be better expended elsewhere," he said
Mr Main said protesters wanted to halt the Napthine Government from pushing the project through before the next election.
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