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Mounted police will attend an anti-refugee rally that has been predicted to turn violent.
media_cameraMounted police will attend an anti-refugee rally that has been predicted to turn violent.

Police to flood Eltham anti-refugee rally, shut roads down

UPDATE: ONE Nation Senator Pauline Hanson’s spokesman has scotched rumours she will attend an anti-refugee rally in Melbourne’s north tomorrow.

Fairfax Media today reported Senator Hanson was tipped to be a surprise speaker at the public protest against a move to place Syrian refugees at St Vincent’s Care Services in Eltham.

But Senator Hanson’s spokesman, James Ashby, told the Diamond Valley Leader this was “never the truth at all”.

“Someone has started some rumour and when (Fairfax) rang this morning I asked if they could tell me who said this?” Mr Ashby said.

“They said “no” and I said “I’m sorry I’m not prepared to talk to you” and hung up. Then we see it’s a front pager they’re trying to run. There is no truth to it.”

Mr Ashby said he had spoken to Senator Hanson and “warned her” about stories saying she was attending.

“There has never been an invitation that I have been aware of and certainly never been any intention to go so someone is telling furphies,” he said.

However, Senator Hanson has previously posted about the issue on her Facebook page.

A police source also told the Diamond Valley Leader they were not aware that Pauline Hanson was attending the planned rally in Eltham.

A heavy police presence will tomorrow shut down traffic and monitor protesters at the rally, which will force road closures and disrupt junior tennis matches.

Protesters against the plan are expected to stage an event at Andrew Park and Leader understands officers from outside the shire, including members from the mounted branch squad, will be monitoring proceedings.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Is policing the rally a good use of police resources? Tell us below

Youth Rd and Diamond St, between the level crossing and the Diamond Creek bridge, will be closed from 10am on Saturday, November 5, Victoria Police spokeswoman Sophie Jennings told the Leader.

media_cameraProtesters will rally against a plan to house refugees at St Vincent's aged care centre in Eltham. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Diamond Creek Trail also will be closed between Eltham Central Park and Diamond St from 10am.

“Locals are advised to divert to and from the Eltham CBD via Bridge St,” Ms Jennings said.

“Other closures may be necessary on the day, however these will be temporary and used only to provide a safe barrier for pedestrian movement.

“As soon as the crowd has moved on, the closures will be opened.”

Groups who support the refugee intake will start marching from the Eltham cenotaph and travel north along Main Rd before they turn left into Diamond St.

media_cameraParty for Freedom chairman Nick Folkes will attend the protest on Saturday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In an email to Eltham Tennis Club members, president Phil Butler said all junior matches scheduled on the day had been relocated.

“There will be a protest rally in the vicinity of our club this Saturday. We have been advised by authorities that it would be wise for all members of the club and the community in general to stay clear of that area surrounding the club on that day,” he wrote.

“All junior matches have been relocated to alternative venues.”

Party for Freedom chairman Nick Folkes, who lives in Sydney, previously told Leader he expected the event to “get out of hand”, saying: “Unfortunately I think it will get violent but we don’t go there causing disruptions or promoting violence.”

Victoria Police would not confirm specific details about police numbers or resources.