Extinction Rebellion protester arrested after climbing Arts Centre Melbourne spire

An Extinction Rebellion member has been arrested after climbing onto the spire of the Arts Centre Melbourne in one of the group's latest stunt protests calling for climate action.

The man unfurled a vivid pink banner down the spire, which reaches around 162 metres off the ground.

He was supported by dozens of protesters who set up tents and unfurled banners around the Art Centre with slogans such as 'Climate chaos = war + famine' and 'Business as usual = death'.

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The man spent around three hours up the spire before specialist police escorted him down before 11am.

They then placed him in handcuffs and led him to a police van.

He will then be questioned by investigators.

Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Jane told Today the banner bore the slogan "occupy for climate" and would also show the dates for "the next period of rebellion".

"The concern is the same as always - that is, that we are heading for out-of-control warming, potentially quite soon," she said.

Jane said the group's next Melbourne protests would be in the Melbourne CBD in May, where they would be camping in the park.

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She said the "disruption" by the group would be minimal compared to that caused by climate change.

Extinction Rebellion has been criticised for previous protests, including people super-gluing themselves to busy metropolitan roads.

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