Police are engaged in a standoff with a man atop one of Melbourne's Bolte Bridge pillars after a graffiti stunt that began early Tuesday morning. The artist, who has not been identified, climbed a 140-meter pillar and abseiled down to paint a large tag known as 'Pam the Bird'.
Emergency services were alerted around 3 a.m. Traffic has since backed up on the bridge, although authorities stated there is no threat to the public or road users, with only one lane closed.
Videos shared on an Instagram page appearing to be filmed from the pillar show the artist making demands. In one clip, a voice states, "I'm not coming down until they lower the taxes." Another video shows feet dangling from the pillar before the camera zooms out to reveal a significant police presence below, with the man seen gesturing towards officers.
Police are negotiating with the man, who is reportedly refusing to come down. A police spokesperson confirmed that officers are attempting to persuade the individual to descend safely. A significant police presence is on the scene, including uniform officers and water police units.
This incident draws parallels to previous legal actions involving the 'Pam the Bird' graffiti. In one case, 22-year-old Jack Gibson-Burrell was charged with 209 offenses related to the tag, including reckless conduct endangering life or serious injury, criminal damage, theft, and aggravated burglary. Police allege Gibson-Burrell caused approximately $700,000 in damage, including to heritage-listed buildings. He was reportedly granted bail in May with conditions that included a curfew and restrictions on possessing abseiling or graffiti equipment. He is accused of trespassing into Melbourne's Flinders Street Station in July 2024 and abseiling up its clock tower to paint the tag.