The New South Wales government has made a last-ditch attempt to stop people from blockading of the world’s largest coal port by designating Muloobinba/Newcastle Harbour an “exclusion zone” for the designated weekend.
Transport for NSW issued the exclusion zone under the Marine Safety Act 1998. It means anyone entering the water within the zone at the proscribed times could face a maximum $1100 fine.
It includes waters around the Port of Newcastle, Stockton Beach, Nobby’s Beach and Newcastle Beach from 5pm on November 21 to 8am on November 25.
Even those wanting to take a dip at these beaches during these times could face fines.
Frankie, a 12-year-old climate activist, said she was “devastated”.
“I was so excited to go out on the water and paddle with my friends and most importantly making my voice heard.” She said it was “really confusing” that her right to protest was being taken away.
Zach Schofield, Rising Tide spokesperson, said Labor was trying to “undermine peaceful protest” and that it was “complete overreach” from the Premier.
“We have a right to protest on public land and water; we are going to be exercising that right and we encourage people to come and get involved.”
Frankie said Rising Tide had been working hard to ensure the blockade was “fun, safe, family friendly and enjoyable for everyone”. She accused the government of “throwing a tantrum” and asked why it wasn’t listening to climate science “or reason”.
NSW Greens MP Kobi Shetty said the decision is “another attempt to deter protesters under the cover of vague and unsubstantiated ‘safety’ concerns”. She said Labor should be “spending less time trying to criminalise protest and more time trying to work towards addressing the climate crisis”.
Labor latest effort to stop the climate protest follows its urging of the NSW Police to appeal Rising Tide’s form 1 document in the NSW Supreme Court. It did successfully but the court did not ban the protest. Rising Tide said it would go ahead — although protesters would kayak closer to shore.
This seems to have prompted Minns’ next attempt to stop people peacefully expressing their concerns about the adverse impact of coal and gas mining.
However, not all authorities are against the protest. The City of Newcastle announced on November 13 that protesters had permission to set up marquees, toilets and other infrastructure in a nearby park.
Newly-elected Mayor Ross Kerridge had attended last year’s Rising Tide event and was impressed by its professionalism and organisers’ “commitment to ensuring a safe event with a focus on climate change”.
"City of Newcastle received 123 submissions on Rising Tide’s request to hold an event at Camp Shortland. Almost 75% of these submissions were supportive of the event.”
Rising Tide said the workshops and training would to go ahead, as well as live performances from artists including Dobby, Angie McMahon, John Butler and Peter Garrett.
“We’re fighting for a safe climate. This is the hottest year in human history and we have seen climate breakdown all around the world,” Schofield said.
“We’re also fighting for the Hunter — less than 2% of the coal royalties created here come back to the Hunter to fund transition [to renewables].”
Rising Tide is also asking supporters to contact Minns, Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorpe and transport minister Darren Wood to ask them to reverse their decision on the exclusion zone.
[Follow Rising Tide on Facebook for updates. Register for the People’s Blockade here.]