PERTH Arena has enhanced its security solution with the installation of 40 fixed and 8 automatic J275 bollards, featuring blue bodies and blue LED lighting.
The FAAC J275 bollards feature a sectional foundation box and have a standard descent time of 2.8 seconds but can be programmed to descend in 1 second. They have a drive unit mounted within the cyclinder and incorporate integrated flashing LEDs, buzzer, emergency release and a mechanical release.
Recently, counter terrorism expert and federal MP Anne Aly said Perth Arena would be a prime target for a terrorist attack on the city and Premier Mark McGowan promised a security upgrade at the venue in the wake of the deadly Manchester bombing in which more than 22 died and 59 were injured by an Islamist suicide bomber.
Dr Aly said she had been "taken aback" by the way Perth Arena managed people leaving the venue after events.
"Thousands of people are streamed through a single point and congregate at one point, all moving in a single direction," she said. "There is no security and there is no management of people.
"This is exactly the kind of opportunity that somebody seeking to do us damage would look for – people congregating en masse where there is no security and no management of foot traffic going through."
Dr Aly said there were 3 main reasons terrorists might choose a particular target — for the symbolic value, for easy access and to kill the most number of people.
"If we can understand that we can start looking at what venues and what places we might have they might be vulnerable to an attack," Dr Aly said.
Meanwhile, VenuesWest chief executive David Etherton told ABC Radio Perth that security staff would be wearing high-vis vests at future events at the arena so they were more visible to the public.
"We have exceptionally safe venues in Western Australia and we have a great record," he said. "We have great people running the venues and people will be safe when they come to events."
Perth Arena is an entertainment and sporting arena in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia, used mostly for basketball matches. It is located on Wellington Street near the site of the former Perth Entertainment Centre, and was officially opened on 10 November 2012. The Perth Arena is the first stage of the Perth City Link, a 13.5 hectare major urban renewal and redevelopment project which involves the sinking of the Fremantle railway line to link the Perth central business district directly with Northbridge.
With its design based on the Eternity puzzle, the venue will hold up to 13,910 spectators for tennis events, 14,846 for basketball (the arena's capacity is capped at 13,000 for National Basketball League regular season games) and a maximum of 15,000 for music or rock concerts. The venue has a retractable roof, 36 luxury appointed corporate suites, a 680-bay underground car park, 5 dedicated function spaces, and touring trucks can drive directly onto the arena floor. ♦
