Coal news and updates

Port of Newcastle shipping resumes after 170 anti-coal protesters arrested

25 Nov 2024

People took to the water in kayaks and small watercraft in a protest against coal. (ABC News: Romy Stephens)

In short:

NSW police have arrested 170 people for allegedly defying directions not to enter the shipping channel in Newcastle Harbour.

The Port Authority temporarily paused shipping movements for several hours due to safety concerns.

What's next?

Protesters will now head to Canberra where they hope to deliver their message to federal parliament.

A total of 170 people, including children, have been arrested in Newcastle for allegedly defying directions by New South Wales Police during an anti-fossil fuel protest at the world's largest coal port.

Dozens of protesters on kayaks and small water craft paddled out on Newcastle Harbour on Sunday morning.

Standing on the beach, a police officer using a loud speaker told those gathered on the sand they could be breaking the law if they entered the shipping channel.

NSW Police said just after 10am on Sunday a large group of people entered the shipping channel and interfered with the movement of vessels.

As a result police said 170 people had been arrested over unsafe behaviour in the water, serious disruption of a major facility and other offences.

Of those arrested, 156 were adults and 14 were children.

Protesters were removed from the water by NSW Police during the demonstration. (Supplied: Rising Tide)

Thousands of people have gathered in Newcastle over the past few days for what activism group Rising Tide has called "the people's blockade" of the world's largest coal port.

The police operation on the harbour is continuing and police aren't ruling out further arrests.

"NSW Police will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to actions which threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels," a statement said.

Ten people also needed assistance from officers to return to shore, police said.

Police disappointed infant seen on kayak

Assistant Commissioner David Waddell, Commander of the Northern Region, says police were disappointed by the safety risks taken by some protesters.

David Waddell was disappointed by the risk taken by some protesters. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham)

"We had 34 people who were required to be pulled out of the water by the Police Marine Area Command or divers," he said.

"We had 10 people that required assistance back to shore by Water Police because they couldn't get back to shore themselves.

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