Newcastle coal port faces major disruption as thousands join Rising Tide blockade
Canoes, canoes and small boats flocked to the Port of Newcastle on Saturday as Rising Tide pressed ahead with its fleet amid ongoing protests at the world’s largest coal export port.
Thousands of people gathered at Horseshoe Beach in mid-morning before rowing to the port to protest Australia’s coal exports and what organizers described as the country’s “massive contribution to the climate crisis”.
Police and transport authorities have been establishing a no-sea zone on the shipping channel since Friday.
Saturday’s action followed two days of rallies, concerts and meetings in Foreshore Park; Organizers said numbers had been rising steadily since Friday and were expected to exceed 7,000 by Sunday.
NSW Police have warned they will take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who violates the exclusion zone, which will remain in place until Monday morning.
Officials said the zone was created to ensure safety and maintain shipping movements in and out of the busy canal.
Despite this, the fleets set sail again on Saturday.
Rising Tide organizer Alexa Stuart said the group plans to continue with its plans.
“People’s blockade of the world’s largest coal port continues despite the NSW government’s attempts to shut us down,” Ms Stuart said.
“People from all over Australia are joining us in our hometown of Newcastle.
“This is the biggest mobilization for climate action in Australia this year, with thousands of ordinary citizens coming together to demand our government stop approving new coal and gas projects and heavily tax coal companies to fund a community-led transition away from coal.”
The demonstrators were joined by a number of supporters, including politicians and professionals.
Australian Greens leader Senator Melissa Waters released videos from the harbor showing herself rowing among the fleet.
“There are thousands of people here about to block coal ships leaving the port of Newcastle, the world’s largest coal export port,” Ms Waters said.
“I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this movement… we don’t need coal and gas anymore, we need 100 percent renewable energy as quickly as possible.”
Prominent figures also supported the blockade, including civil and environmental engineer and former president of Engineers Australia Professor David Hood AM.
“If the government continues to approve coal and gas mines that will harm my grandchildren for generations, then yes, I will break the law to stop it, and I will be perfectly justified in doing so,” Professor Hood said.
“New coal mines should be illegal. What shouldn’t be illegal is a grandfather paddling a canoe to defend the only climate his grandchildren will inherit.”
Newcastle surgeon Dr. Stanley Chen said medical professionals have a responsibility to sound the alarm.
“As our governments continue to approve new coal and gas projects, we again find ourselves having to act as advocates to send a strong message… We have an obligation to support public protest actions such as the People’s Blockade,” Dr Chen said.
The protests caused some disruptions as commercial shipping continued operations.
While Viking Cruise Line canceled its planned entry into the port, Hunter Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bob Hawes estimated the cancellation would cost the local economy around $800,000 in lost passenger spending.
While police maintained a visible presence around Horseshoe Beach and along the shoreline on Saturday, officers warned that safety remained a priority as crowds gathered on the water and along the shoreline.
The event, which organizers described as peaceful but purposeful, is expected to continue until Sunday, with more squadrons scheduled to launch before the exclusion zone is lifted at 7am on Monday.
