For nearly two hours, before he dramatically abseiled into the custody of waiting police, the Narrabeen man brought the country's largest city to a standstill, holding hostage a bridge that carries 40,000 cars in morning peak hour and clogging arteries to the city, from the Lane Cove Tunnel to the Anzac Bridge. He exploited the chaos by phoning several media outlets from on high.

No one escaped the mayhem. A reprieve in discounted tolls was small reward for motorists' frustration. Train travellers fared only a little better. Bridge services terminated at Milsons Point and Wynyard for an hour and did not return to schedule until 11am.

The NSW Business Chamber estimated 60,000 people were late for work, at a cost of $2.2 million in lost productivity.

The brazen act - reported by the sole security guard patrolling in the pre-dawn cold - prompted an immediate review of security on the bridge, which already costs the Roads and Traffic Authority $3.8 million a year.

Did Mr Fox's exploits expose a hole in Sydney's terrorism preparedness, particularly on the famous bridge that has featured many protests since its opening in 1932, including the infamous intervention at its opening by Francis de Groot?

''It did not create any serious risk as far as terrorism is concerned,'' the NSW Police Assistant Commissioner for Counter-Terrorism, Peter Dein, said.

''But we will be part of any review that takes place, because of the importance of maintaining the safety of the bridge.''

Mr Fox was charged with relatively minor offences: obstructing traffic, climbing or jumping from buildings, and climbing on bridges. ''This is not the act of a desperate man; this is the act of a determined man,'' he told the court. Outside court he apologised for the disruption he had caused.

Discharged from the army - friends say he served in Iraq - his marriage has broken down and his three children are in their mother's custody. He last saw them almost 70 days ago, soon after a home owned by him was engulfed by fire. His estranged wife and one young daughter were sleeping inside. Both escaped the blaze.

Mr Fox, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, has unsuccessfully tried to reach his children and blames police and welfare authorities for his predicament. Mr Fox also allegedly witnessed the murder of his friend Neil Green, sergeant-at-arms of the Riverstone Nomads chapter, a year ago. He is a key witness in the April 2010 death, over which a 32-year-old Girraween man and his father have been charged.

Yesterday police said Mr Fox's actions were premeditated and that he had done the Bridge Climb the day before in preparation.

As he was granted bail yesterday, Mr Fox was told to stay away from the bridge and ordered not to disrupt the free flow of traffic and people. ''That's a given, your honour,'' he responded.

But he thought it was ''disgusting'' when he was told not to contact his children. ''Are you serious?'' he asked. He is due to face court on an unrelated matter this month, and next month over yesterday's protest.

with David Humphries

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