Police north-west metropolitan region Commander Tim Hansen said crowd behaviour would be closely monitored. Commander Hansen told radio station 3AW that police were concerned the Extinction Rebellion movement had been infiltrated by fringe groups. Protesters describe the Spring Rebellion campaign as non-violent but highly disruptive. Melbourne activists are planning daily road blockades, a nude march and a disruptive bike ride. On Thursday – the day tram drivers strike from 10am to 2pm – there will be three protests in the city: RMIT in Swanston Street, Alexandra Gardens and at Batman Park. Locations of other strikes remain undisclosed for maximum disruption.

Police said general duties police would be backed by the Public Order Response Team, the Mounted Branch and the Transit Safety Division. Commander Hansen said a heavy police presence aimed to ensure there were no breaches of the peace or other offences. ‘‘Everyone has a right to protest peacefully without impacting the rest of the community, who also have the right to go about their daily business,’’ he said. Climate activists in the city: Extinction Rebellion protesters will camp in Carlton Gardens. Credit:Tash Sorensen Federal Water Resources Minister David Littleproud lashed out on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday at "angry" protesters who were imposing their will on the public.

Protester Andrew George apologised for creating disruptions to traffic and businesses. ‘‘I’m really sorry that we have to inconvenience people, but unfortunately the government has left us no choice,’’ he said. ‘‘Their criminal inaction is jeopardising all of life on Earth, which means my family, my friends’ children. "This is what we have to do, and we do it with apologies.’’ Protester Andrew George is sorry, but says the protest must go on. Credit:Tash Sorensen

Mr George, 30, of Pascoe Vale South, said he had put his job as an environmental engineer on hold to organise the protests. He said he and many other protesters were prepared to be arrested for their cause. ‘‘That is what makes this such a powerful movement, when people make a personal sacrifice that could risk their careers or bring fines," he said. ‘‘So we don’t do this lightly, we do this because it’s an emergency.’’ Mr George was arrested and charged on summons for taking part in Extinction Rebellion’s three-hour blockage of Princes Bridge on September 14.

He said proof that this sort of action worked came with the British government's response to Extinction Rebellion’s 11-day occupation of sites across London in April – the government met a key demand of protesters by declaring a climate and environmental emergency. Australian protesters want the federal government to make a similar declaration, but also to act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025. The Spring Rebellion is expected to be followed later this month by a protest outside the International Mining and Resources Conference. Organisers of that action hope Extinction Rebellion generates momentum towards their own protest. A "dress rehearsal" for the conference protest will be held this Friday, outside BHP offices in Collins Street. A Department of Transport spokesperson said some tram services in the CBD this week were likely to be affected by the protests.