Security Incidents Surge at Major Coal Port
Police have launched an investigation into a significant security breach at the Port of Newcastle, where three individuals were captured on security cameras trespassing in a restricted storage area. The incident occurred as tensions escalate ahead of a planned harbour blockade by climate activists this weekend.
The security footage, obtained by port authorities, shows the group standing near the Mayfield 4 berth last month. The individuals arrived in two vehicles and appeared to be operating camera equipment directed toward a coal ship across the channel.
Dramatic Increase in Security Breaches
A Newcastle police spokesman confirmed authorities are investigating the unauthorized entry of two vehicles and their occupants onto port property at 7pm on Friday, October 10.
Port security teams have reported an alarming 29 security breaches on their property over the past six weeks alone. This figure stands in stark contrast to the 23 incidents recorded throughout the previous four years combined.
Port management believes at least some of these recent incidents, which have involved individuals inspecting gates and fences, are connected to preparations for this weekend's planned harbour blockade.
Protest Groups Deny Involvement
Climate activist group Rising Tide has denied any knowledge of the October 10 incident or other cases of trespass. Rising Tide spokesman Zack Schofield stated: "While our supporters are steadily growing in Newcastle, we don't claim this apparent film crew or every fisherman looking for a quiet perch, and suggest the port not make allegations without evidence."
Schofield added: "When Rising Tide takes action, it is only to call attention to the gleeful environmental destruction of the coal industry, and the need to tax it to fund the Hunter's future - we'll take full responsibility for that."
Preparations for the Blockade of the World's Largest Coal Port are already underway, with large marquees being erected at Foreshore Park on Tuesday. Organisers expect participants to travel from across Australia to join the protest camp, which officially begins on Thursday.
Event organiser John Weate announced: "Today we are starting to set up for the 2025 People's Blockade of the World's Largest Coal Port, a historic protest calling on our government to protect our grandkids against dangerous climate change. From Thursday we're expecting thousands of ordinary people from across the Hunter and all over Australia will unite at the world's largest coal port calling on our government to support fossil fuel workers as we transition away from coal."
Rising Tide received official approval from City of Newcastle to hold the event back in August and plans to proceed despite the imposition of a marine exclusion zone by the NSW government last week.
Newcastle Greens councillor Siobhan Isherwood commented on the development: "This year, they've acknowledged the right to protest and allowed for legal protest around Horseshoe Beach. That shows people power works. Rising Tide and the community have shown the state government that they won't give up their right to protest easily."
The main flotilla for the blockade is scheduled to launch at 10am on Saturday, with organisers confident the protest will proceed as planned despite government restrictions.
