Newcastle climate protest goes ahead, no arrests made

Protest organisers and NSW Police say no arrests were made as hundreds of kayakers took to Newcastle Harbour in New South Wales, to protest against coal exports and fossil fuels.

Climate activism group Rising Tide began promoting its "Paddle for the Planet" event in August, but Newcastle Council this week moved to ban the group from holding any of its events on council land.

NSW Police attempted to block the protest, citing safety concerns and potential resourcing pressures.

However, the court dismissed the application on Friday, deciding the event was in the public interest.

Speaking after the paddle-out, Rising Tide spokesperson Joe Hallenstein labelled Anthony Albanese "hypocritical", as the prime minister and climate change minister engage in the COP31 summit.

"[Albanese] is over in Türkiye telling the world that Australia is a leader in climate action, when the opposite is true," Mr Hallenstein said.

"Both Albanese's federal Labor government, and Chris Minns's state Labor government continue to approve new coal and gas projects, which is the opposite of action on climate change."

The event was held off Horseshoe Beach, which is managed by Transport for NSW.

A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed, by the completion of the event, officers had not made any arrests.

On-water demonstration

Organisers say more than 900 people registered for the event, with more than 600 taking to the water.

Hundreds more lined the shore of Horseshoe Beach for the hour-long demonstration.

"I'm tired of governments, from the federal government down to the local government, not doing enough about reducing [climate impact]," attendee Scott Alcorn said.

"I can see there's plenty of enthusiastic people who feel just the same way as I do."

A limited police presence, mostly on foot, attended the protest.

In the Supreme Court hearing, Assistant Commissioner David Waddell and NSW Police's legal representative argued there were serious safety concerns for large amounts of people on the water.

A cap of 785 vessels was placed on the event.

The Port of Newcastle did not run any shipping movements between 10am and 2pm.

Election approaches

NSW Greens spokesperson for climate change and justice Sue Higginson said climate change and fossil fuel projects must be a key concern in the NSW election, scheduled for March 13, 2027.

She argued while the cost of living is the biggest issue for voters coming into the campaign period, it "does not mean people are not also concerned about the health of their local environment".

"Labor and the Coalition, all they want to do is talk about One Nation … what we are doing is providing the people with a real alternative and a real vision for their future."

Ms Higginson also referred to a recent decision by the Minns government to make legislative changes allowing the Mount Pleasant coalmine in the Upper Hunter to increase its life and output.

The premier announced the move despite a High Court ruling relating to the mine that concluded global climate emissions must be considered in approvals.

"[The government] is literally carving laws that defy the High Court's ruling because a coal company is threatening to lay off workers before Christmas," she said.

Ms Higginson said the matter is set to be debated in NSW parliament next week.

A Rising Tide spokesperson confirmed the group plans to hold a larger on-water protest at the end of February on Newcastle Harbour, a fortnight before the election.