The New South Wales government has imposed an exclusion zone around Newcastle harbour, making it off limits to the public for four days in what climate protesters say is an unprecedented move from politicians “trying to bully and intimidate Newcastle locals protesting … by banning us from our own beaches.”
Earlier this month, NSW police won a legal challenge in their attempt to stop Rising Tide activists paddling into the port on kayaks and rafts in late November to stop coal exports from leaving for 50 hours in what was to be one of the biggest climate protests in Australia’s history.
Rising Tide’s protest called for an end to new coal and gas approvals, and for the introduction of a 78% tax on coal and gas exports, in order to fund Hunter workers in the energy transition.
Rising Tide’s revised plan was to paddle out on the Newcastle harbour from Friday 22 November to Sunday 24 November, staying close to shore and not entering the shipping channel.
The group met senior local police on Thursdayorganiser Zack Schofield said, and “had a clear agreement”.
Earlier in the week, local council approval was given for the drug- and alcohol-free festival element of the event at the park behind Nobbys beach, with live music acts including Peter Garrett, John Butler, Angie McMahon and Dobby booked to play, Rising Tide said.
But at 7pm Friday, the group received a letter from Transport for NSW at 7pm detailing plansfor the exclusion zone, which they described as an unprecedented blanket ban on water craft in response to a peaceful protest.
The letter stated “no unauthorised vessels or persons other than commercial vessels associated with port operations are permitted to enter the Zone and to do so may be an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, s.12(5) – Maximum Penalty $1,100.00).”
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said NSW Maritime was placing an exclusion zone on Newcastle harbour “to ensure the safety of the community and all vessels … The safety of all NSW state navigable waters is paramount for NSW Maritime.”
“The users of Newcastle harbour inclusive of recreational, commercial operators, and passive craft such as standup paddle boards and kayaks need to follow the restrictions that are being implemented between 5pm Thursday 21 November and 8am Monday 25 November,” the spokesperson said.
“These powers are incredibly excessive,” Schofield said. “[They] mean that locals swimming at Nobbys beach, Horseshoe beach and Newcastle beach will be breaking the law, and could potentially face arrests and fines.”
On Saturday morning, Rising Tide put up signs at Nobbys beach, Newcastle beach, Horseshoe Beach and Stockton beach to inform the thousands of people who were expected to attend the protest that they will not be permitted to enter the exclusion zone.
The activist group is calling on NSW’s premier, Chris Minns, to overturn what they say is an “outrageous decision” and “an abuse of power”.
“If Chris Minns is scared of families and kids paddling off a beach in protest, then he’s not cut out for the job.” Schofield said.
“The People’s Blockade is a family-friendly, peaceful protest that has a proud tradition in Newcastle, and has taken place 12 times in the past. The Minns Government should be supporting young people and Hunter workers, not trying to suppress dissent.”
A spokesperson for the state transport minister, Jo Haylen, said the right to protest “must also be viewed within the context of what is a reasonable impact on others in the community”.
“We have already seen actions by protest groups that shut down passenger and freight services on the Hunter Line, putting rail workers, emergency services personnel and protesters themselves in danger,” the spokesperson said.
“The government does not want to see these same groups endangering maritime workers, police and themselves out on the water while disrupting the safe navigation of Newcastle harbour.”
NSW Greens MP and party spokesperson on democracy, Kobi Shetty, condemned the government’s latest move to prevent the protest.
“There have been no major safety concerns at previous Rising Tide events,” Shetty said. “The People’s Blockade is a peaceful, family-friendly event where people can express their frustration at the continuing lack of action by governments to tackle climate change. This response is just another attempt to deter protesters under the cover of vague and unsubstantiated safety concerns.”
“Government authorities should spend less time trying to criminalise protest and more time trying to work towards addressing the climate crisis.”
Minns’ office was contacted for comment.
