Five Freight Link WA protesters arrested

Five people protesting against the first stage of the contentious Perth Freight Link project have been arrested after they obstructed machinery, but were later released with cautions.

Police physically removed the activists from Beeliar Wetlands, where fences have been erected in preparation for the Roe 8 highway extension, and brought them to Cockburn Police Station on Wednesday morning.

They were later released after being issued move-on notices, along with several other people at the protest, which means they have to stay away from the site for 24 hours.

Police said the five locked themselves onto machinery, but Rethink the Link co-ordinator Kim Dravnieks said they had merely been holdings hands in front of a truck to stop more fencing being unloaded.

"Lots of families and children were there. There were quite a few upset people when they were manhandling (the protesters)," Ms Dravnieks told AAP.