Newcastle Harbour Rising Tide protest charges to be dropped

Police in New South Wales are expected to withdraw all remaining charges against more than 120 activists involved in the 2024 Rising Tide “People’s Blockade” at Newcastle Harbour, the world’s largest coal export port. The protesters were charged under the Crimes Act and the Marine Safety Act, offenses that carry a maximum penalty of a $22,000 fine or two years’ imprisonment.

Four participants – Noah Bruce‑Allen, Roisin McSweeney, Andrew George and Joanna Garder – were already found not guilty in a 2025 court hearing, and Climate Defenders Australia says the pending dismissals will save time and money for the arrested individuals, many of whom have been awaiting resolution for nearly two years. The blockade, which saw hundreds of activists enter the water to disrupt coal shipments, also resulted in a police officer being injured and several people needing assistance back to shore.