Newcastle coal port faces major disruption as thousands join Rising Tide blockade

Kayaks, canoes and small boats poured into Newcastle Harbour on Saturday as Rising Tide pressed ahead with its flotilla amid ongoing protests at the world’s largest coal export port.

Thousands of people converged on Horseshoe Beach mid‑morning before paddling into the harbour in protest against Australia’s coal exports and what organisers described as the nation’s “enormous contribution to the climate crisis”.

Police and transport authorities have maintained a marine exclusion zone over the shipping channel since Friday.

Saturday’s action followed two days of rallies, concerts and gatherings at Foreshore Park, where organisers said numbers had steadily grown since Friday and were expected to exceed 7000 by Sunday.

NSW Police have warned they will take a zero‑tolerance approach to anyone breaching the exclusion zone, which remains in place until Monday morning.

Authorities said the zone was introduced to ensure safety and maintain shipping movements in and out of the busy channel.

Despite this, flotillas launched again on Saturday.

Rising Tide organiser Alexa Stuart said the group intended to press ahead with its plans.

“Despite the NSW government’s attempts to shut us down, the people’s blockade of the world’s largest coal port is happening,” Ms Stuart said.

“People from all over Australia are joining us here in our hometown of Newcastle.

“This is the largest mobilisation for climate action in Australia this year, with thousands of ordinary citizens uniting to demand our government stops approving new coal and gas projects and heavily tax coal corporations to fund a community-led transition away from coal.”

The demonstrators have been joined by a range of supporters, including politicians and professionals.

Australian Greens leader Senator Melissa Waters posted videos from the harbour, showing herself paddling among the flotilla.

“There’s thousands of people here that are about to block coal ships exiting the port of Newcastle, the world’s biggest coal export port,” Ms Waters said.

“I could not feel prouder to be part of this movement … we don’t need anymore coal and gas, we need 100 per cent renewables as quickly as we can.”

Prominent figures have also backed the blockade, including Professor David Hood AM, a civil and environmental engineer and former president of Engineers Australia.

“If the government keeps approving coal and gas mines that will harm my grandkids for generations, then yes — I will break the law to stop it and that will be perfectly justified in doing so,” Professor Hood said.

“New coal mines should be illegal. What shouldn’t be illegal is a grandfather paddling a kayak to defend the only climate his grandkids will inherit.”

Newcastle surgeon Dr Stanley Chen said medical professionals had a responsibility to raise the alarm.

“Since our governments continue to approve new coal and gas projects, we find ourselves again obliged to act as advocates… supporting public protest action such as the People’s Blockade, to send a powerful message,” Dr Chen said.

While commercial shipping continued operating, the protests have caused some disruptions.

Viking Cruise Line cancelled a scheduled entry into the harbour, with Hunter Business Chamber chief executive Bob Hawes estimating the cancellation would cost the local economy about $800,000 in lost passenger spending.

Police maintained a visible presence around Horseshoe Beach and along the foreshore on Saturday, with officers warning that safety remained the priority as crowds gathered in the water and along the shoreline.

The event, which organisers describe as peaceful but purpose‑driven, is expected to continue through Sunday, with more flotilla launches planned before the exclusion zone lifts at 7am Monday.