Skip to content
LOUD
Coming upclimateenvironment

Rising Tide plans climate flotilla in Newcastle Harbour

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia · Nov 14, 2026

Is it still on?

SOONAnnounced for Nov 14. Not started yet.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Protesters are demonstrating to coincide with COP31 negotiations and demand government action on climate change.
What they want
An end to new coal and gas developments and a fair transition for Hunter workers.
What changed
Nov 10: NSW Police sought a Supreme Court order to prohibit the planned public assembly citing safety concerns.
WhatsAppPost on X

Both sides

What protesters want

  • End new coal and gas developments
  • Ensure a fair transition for Hunter workers

Organised by: Rising Tide, NSW Police

What authorities say

NSW Police applied to the Supreme Court to prohibit the public assembly, citing safety concerns. Police Minister Yasmin Catley supported the action, stating the port should not be used as a political playground.12

The full story

Climate activist group Rising Tide planned a Paddle for the Planet event at Horseshoe Beach and Newcastle Harbour, featuring a kayak flotilla and a large floating banner. The demonstration was organized to coincide with the UN COP31 climate negotiations in Türkiye, demanding an end to new coal and gas projects alongside a fair transition for Hunter workers. NSW Police opposed the event in the Supreme Court, citing serious safety hazards in the port's shipping channel, while Police Minister Yasmin Catley backed the legal challenge. Organisers defended the demonstration as a peaceful, family-friendly gathering, criticising the authorities' legal actions. Additionally, the Newcastle council voted to ban Rising Tide from holding future protests on council land.

Timeline

  1. The Newcastle council voted to bar Rising Tide from holding future protests on council land.2

  2. NSW Police filed a Supreme Court challenge to stop the planned weekend water demonstration.1

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

More like this