LIBERAL deputy mayor Callum Pull has condemned his superior lord mayor Ross Kerridge's support of Rising Tide's "protestival" at Camp Shortland.
City of Newcastle has approved Rising Tide's "protestival" on its land despite a Supreme Court ruling to block the Newcastle coal port protest.
Cr Pull said Rising Tide and its protesters have been "nothing but disruptive".
"They have stopped coal trains, blocked our harbour and broken the law on multiple occasions," he said.
"City of Newcastle (CN) and the lord mayor should not in any way be supporting this protest.
"The event organisers are now claiming that they will discourage attendees from breaking the law, but past experience shows this has had no impact on the radicals who continually stop trains and block the harbour."
Cr Pull said that by supporting the action against police advice, the lord mayor "must accept full responsibility for their actions".
The sentiment was echoed by Nationals Senator Ross Cadell who criticised the council and Cr Kerridge for 'thumbing their nose' at the court ruling and police advice.
"I think this is appalling," he said.
"By getting involved in allowing this to happen Newcastle council and the lord mayor are saying, 'We are taking responsibility for everything that happens', and they have to own up to that."
Mr Cadell said the activists are "maintaining a rage" that should not exist.
"Every major political party in Australia signed up to 2050 and there is a process going forward," he said.
"Just because they don't like the pace or the way it's going on, they get to whinge and shut down a city that's been built on this, that's wrong.
"You can't let the noisy minority dictate the rest of the world, and this has to stop."
Cr Kerridge said both Mr Cadell and Mr Pull are entitled to their opinions but he disagrees.
"I think that we do have to respect our traditions and institutions of democracy, and we had long negotiations with the Rising Tide people and they've given some pretty solid assurances in writing," he said.
Cr Kerridge said he hopes Rising Tide protesters take the time to learn about hydrogen projects on Kooragang, ammonia production for exporting renewable energy at Orica and renewables research at the university.
"What worries me, frankly, is that I think children growing up today are being given a very pessimistic view of the future," he said.
"It would be good if they could learn about some of the really positive things that are happening and will be exciting new jobs and technology for the future, and a lot of it is in the Hunter."
A CN spokeswoman said it can only provide consent for temporary use for land it owns or manages on behalf of the Crown.
"In this instance, the consent is for a defined area of Camp Shortland," she said.
Rising Tide organisers met with Cr Kerridge this week and reassured him they intend to hold a peaceful event at Camp Shortland, to focus on safety and obey police.
Cr Kerridge threw his support behind the Camp Shortland event and said he was impressed with the professionalism of organisers.
"I did however stress my expectations that the event organisers take all reasonable efforts to ensure that any closure of the harbour is for the briefest possible time," he said.
"As a result of our meeting and my request, the Rising Tide organisers provided me with a written commitment to use their best endeavours to ensure all participants obey police directions.
"Specifically, this includes directing people to remain close to the shore and not enter the shipping channel, nor make movements that suggest they are attempting to get into the channel."
The council said it has received independent legal advice confirming its authority to issue a permit for the event on its land does not impact the ability of NSW Police to exercise their powers of arrest for any offences.
Port of Newcastle chief executive Craig Carmody called the decision to green light the protest "direct and intentional disregard" for the decision made by the court and NSW Police.
"At no point has City of Newcastle directly consulted stakeholders on this decision," Mr Carmody said.
"There has been no discussion with the Port, Port Authority, government or rail operators to ascertain the risks associated with having up to 10,000 protesters harbourside, intent on causing disruption.
"These individuals who have historically engaged in criminal behaviour by paddling in front of bulk carriers and blocking trains, who have a history of non-compliance with police direction, have now convinced the lord mayor they will behave."
Mr Carmody said despite assurances given to the lord mayor and Rising Tide's statement to the court that they would wind the protest back to 30 hours, the group's social media showed they intend to disregard the court and block the port for 50 hours.
"If you are a local from the week of 18 November, be prepared, you will not be able to access Horseshoe Beach, park your car nearby, access the adjacent parklands, nor enjoy a weekend swim at Nobbys Beach or the Newcastle Baths, as these individuals, the majority of whom are not from the Hunter, are intent on creating mayhem and will occupy the East End causing gridlock and chaos," he said.
The NSW Supreme Court ruled in favour of the police earlier this month, who moved to have the Rising Tide protest planned for November 22 to 24 deemed an unauthorised assembly.
The protest at Newcastle Harbour was expected to bring more than 5000 people to the city and see hundreds hit the water to block coal ships entering the port for more than 24 hours.
The court order means protesters will be liable to arrest if they block port traffic or obstruct the facility, and police will have their usual powers.
Rising Tide has said it is "thrilled" the council will support the People's Blockade from November 19 to 26.
The "protestival" is set to see thousands of people gather at the world's largest coal port to call for an end to new coal and gap approvals, and the imposition of a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports to fund the energy transition.
Rising Tide activist Alexa Stuart said it's crucial the community is able to advocate for urgent climate action and councils all over Australia need to play their part.
"The City of Newcastle showed it's serious about climate action when it declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, and it's great to see council continue to be a leader here," she said.
"The People's Blockade is becoming a significant cultural event in Newcastle and for climate concerned people from across the country.
"It's a powerful climate protest with the joyous atmosphere of a festival that will host a massive music line-up."
Rising Tide has confirmed the protest will go ahead as planned with participants expected to paddle out in the harbour.
Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism and Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said it is "disappointing" the mayor would "undermine" NSW Police and the Supreme Court decision.
"Police are experts when it comes to assessing risk, they don't make these decisions lightly," she said.
"Community safety concern is always at the heart of their decision making
"This decision puts police, other emergency service workers, maritime and port workers and the community at risk."
Cr Kerridge said Rising Tide made a commitment to follow police directions and warn participants of the consequences of likely arrest if they fail to obey police.
"Lastly, Rising Tide committed to discouraging people from disruptive activities away from the harbour such as stopping coal trains," he said.
"I also encourage everyone attending the event to look after the sensitive coastal environment at Camp Shortland and respect residents and visitors in the vicinity of the event."
CN received 123 submissions on the Camp Shortland event, almost 75 per cent of which were in support.
Council's approval will allow Rising Tide to erect large marquees in the park next to Horseshoe beach, workshops and training and other infrastructure like toilets.
