Arabic version: لا اعتقالات في احتجاج مناخي بالقوارب في ميناء نيوكاسل
According to ABC News, no arrests were made after hundreds of kayakers entered Newcastle Harbour in New South Wales for Rising Tide’s “Paddle for the Planet” protest against coal exports and fossil fuels. Organisers and NSW Police confirmed that officers had made no arrests by the end of the event.
Rising Tide said more than 900 people registered for the protest and more than 600 took to the water off Horseshoe Beach, while hundreds more watched from the shore. Protesters formed a line across the harbour during the hour-long paddle-out. A limited police presence, mostly on foot, attended the event, and a cap of 785 vessels was placed on it.
NSW Police had sought to block the on-water demonstration, citing safety concerns and possible resourcing pressures. The Supreme Court of NSW dismissed the application on Friday, finding the event was in the public interest. The Port of Newcastle did not run shipping movements between 10am and 2pm. Newcastle Council had also moved during the week to ban Rising Tide from holding its events on council land, though Horseshoe Beach is managed by Transport for NSW.
After the protest, Rising Tide spokesperson Joe Hallenstein criticised the federal and state Labor governments over approvals for coal and gas projects. NSW Greens climate change and justice spokesperson Sue Higginson said climate change and fossil-fuel projects should be a key issue before the NSW election scheduled for March 13, 2027. Rising Tide said it plans a larger on-water protest on Newcastle Harbour at the end of February, a fortnight before the election.
