8000 Rising Tide protesters enforce Newcastle Port shutdown

Written by: Louisa L. on 4 December 2025

 

(Above: The Knitting Nanas blockade)

For three years, Rising Tide has brought thousands to Newcastle to blockade the world’s biggest coal loader. This year, over six days, 8000 people stood firm against police and government threats. They demanded the immediate cancellation of all new fossil fuel projects; a 78 percent fossil fuel tax to fund a just transition for workers in the fossil fuel sector and to pay for climate loss and damage; and an end to Newcastle coal exports by 2030.

Rising Tide has the backing of 86 percent of Newcastle’s people, according to Newcastle Mayor Ross Kerridge. On water protesters defied possible $22,000 fines and two years jail under Section 214 of the Crimes Act, to block three coal ships. Many ships were diverted to other ports. 155 people were arrested. 

Mr Kerridge, a scientist, called for people to discuss respectfully with open minds and rely on overwhelming scientific agreement to achieve community consensus. 

‘I love this planet,’ he said. ‘I live in hope for its future.’

A Rising Tide spokesperson, 26-year-old Zack Schofield, told Guardian Australia, ‘I grew up in Newcastle. I learned to count by counting the coal ships on the horizon with my mum.

‘We have in Newcastle a responsibility at a global scale to do everything in our power not just to protect the livelihoods of Hunter workers, but to protect the future generations of the entire planet,’ he said.

This message convinced 22-year-old Zac Tritton, a Newcastle coal industry worker to join the blockade.

One older woman had a different reason, ‘It’s the grief’ of inaction. No wonder, when in four years the chance to limit average temperatures to a 1.5 degree increase will pass. 

There’s always money for US war, for mining, and for Australian police. In June the NSW Government promised $46.6 million to replace the current police Class 1 Vessel (Nemesis) that protesters faced in Newcastle. 

‘It looked like a warship,’ remarked one protester.  

A prominent placard on Horseshoe Bay quipped, ‘Now Albanese’s married, it’s time to divorce the Minerals Council.’ Its members are overwhelmingly foreign owned, mostly by US corporations and finance houses.

Night and day

On Day One, three of the 69 Knitting Nannas at the protest, plus a clown (obviously a climate change denier) and a driver broke through in a tinnie. Police chased, the tinnie turned and, while hundreds of swimmers flummoxed police, it broke through again. The tinnie captain was arrested, and police dumped the wet Nannas, with no money or phones, on the city’s edge. They walked into a pub. Patrons cheered and ordered an Uber to for them to rejoin the protest.

Every night was a dance party, with pop group Lime Cordiale and brilliant Murrawarri Filippino musician Dobbie two of the headline acts. 

Lime Cordiale hit the water in the Greenpeace breakout. While two unfurled a banner and locked-on to the anchor, the musicians demanded a timeline for action on the coal ship’s hull. Chinese crew members lowered speakers so they had music to paint to. The crew pointed out China’s record- breaking expansion of green energy, but acknowledged the issue with its new coal-fired power stations. It’s one of the reasons this risen capitalist power is beating its crumbling US imperialist rival.

122 volunteer affinity groups did everything from feeding everyone to cleaning toilets to supporting those arrested. Every morning was a decision-making big circle with volunteers reporting back to their groups.

In all, three ships were turned back, and the port was closed from Sunday lunchtime. 

By the end grief was replaced by exhilaration, the young by the determination of the old, and the old by the energy of the young.

A Nana told me, ‘I’m as high as a kite! I want to build the struggle!’

 

Print Version - new window Email article

-----

Go back