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Newcastle council blocks Rising Tide events on land for coal port protest
Newcastle council has barred Rising Tide from holding events on council land, including the annual protest camp and festival linked to its blockade of coal ships. The decision followed warnings from NSW Premier Chris Minns that council could be implicated in illegal activity, and matters because the city hosts the world’s largest coal port.
The council’s independent lord mayor, Gavin Morris, used his casting vote on Tuesday to stop event licences, citing protesters’ past defiance of police directions. Rising Tide calls for an end to Newcastle coal exports by 2030 and plans a smaller paddle-out this Saturday, followed by its annual event in February. At the 2025 blockade, protesters entering the water stopped three coal ships; 129 were charged and their cases remain before the courts.
In short
- Newcastle council has blocked Rising Tide events on its land.
- The group’s annual protest targets coal shipping at the city’s port.
- A smaller paddle-out is planned for Saturday.
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The case for
The council can reasonably argue that it has a duty to manage public land safely and lawfully, particularly after past protests involved defying police directions and led to arrests. Refusing licences may reduce risks to participants, port operations and the public, while avoiding the appearance that council facilities enable conduct that could breach the law.
The case against
Rising Tide and its supporters can argue that peaceful protest and public assembly are important democratic rights, especially when challenging an industry with major climate consequences. A blanket bar on council land may restrict lawful events because of alleged or unresolved conduct by some participants, and the council could instead set clear conditions that protect safety while allowing protest.
Explained simply
Newcastle is home to the world’s largest coal port, where coal is loaded onto ships for export. Rising Tide is a climate protest group that wants Newcastle’s coal exports to end by 2030 and has organised events there, including a camp and festival.
At its 2025 blockade, protesters entered the water and three coal ships were stopped. Police charged 129 people, whose cases are still before the courts; the council’s decision follows concerns raised by the NSW premier about the risk of illegal activity at future events.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Rising Tide banned from using council land for protests at world’s largest coal port in Newcastle”.