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On Saturday, 21st March 2009, about 500 people converged on Newcastle Harbour for the fourth People's Blockade of the World's Biggest Coal Port. We were protesting against the massive expansion of Australia's export coal industry - this country's biggest contribution to climate change - and for a transition from coal to sustainable industries. We were calling on the Federal Government to resist corporate coal lobbying for free pollution permits. Read more about the reasons for the protest here and here.

 

The weather could not have been better and by 10am the site was looking spectacular and inviting for the supporting community. This was largely thanks to hard working volunteers and the crafty work of Graeme Dunstan and his sewing machine.

 

The people hit the water at 10am in canoes, kayaks, home-made rafts and wind power vessels (even a raft powered by a hand-cranked paddlewheel). The vibe was great amongst the people, with smiling faces and a real feeling of solidarity. Throughout the day the punters enjoyed  music, great food, speakers, games for the kids, face painting and body art, and of course the blockade.

 

The media had already reported that all coal shipping movements had been cancelled for the day in anticipation of the blockade. Although this was common knowledge we remained on guard and maintained a strong presence in the water just in case they tried to sneak one past. This year the coal ships did not attempt to break the blockade and we were successful in preventing the export of coal for the duration of the protest.

 

As the world’s largest coal export port, Newcastle exports over 10, 000 tonnes of coal every hour. Saturday’s blockade held the harbour in safe hands for over seven hours. Now we know that it can be done, we have only to choose the time and the world’s largest coal export port is ours for the taking.

 

The police joined us on the water throughout the day but had little to do while the protesters peacefully kept the coal ships at bay.

 

Pack down started at 5pm and was done by sunset, again thanks to the help of an army of volunteers. Already there are suggestions of a two-day blockade to be held at the port next year after the raging success of the day…

 

We will upload pictures to our website ASAP. In the meantime, check out these image galleries on other sites:

 

http://jagathdeerasekera.blogspot.com/2009/03/peoples-blockade-world-largest-coal.html

http://www.demotix.com/news/hundreds-protesters-occupy-world-largest-coal-port-newcastle

http://www.demotix.com/news/protesters-close-world-s-largest-coal-port 

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=9a24c679a2d8a8e36e7203eb8736812906f9a56c9c33b3215621d66e282a0ee8

http://picasaweb.google.com/miraw2/NewcastlePortBlockade09#

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=605247767#/album.php?aid=67597&id=605247767&ref=mf

 

If you have photos from the flotilla you'd like to share, or if you would like to give us any feedback about the day (good, bad, or postmodern), please drop us a line.

Rising Tide would like to thank everyone who helped make the blockade a success, especially (and in no order whatsoever):

• Maximum Adventure kayaks
• Ocean Planet kayaks
• Newcastle University Mountaineering Club
• UNSW Outdoors Club
• Ras and his dad for kayaks
• Nicky and her dad for kayaks
• Nissa for kayak training
• Natural Tucker
• Hunter Organics
• Graeme Dunstan and everyone who helped him make the beach look so beautiful for the protest
• everyone who lives at the Acreage
• everyone who made their own vessel
• the Greenpeace boat team
• the Wilderness Society
• Climate Action Newcastle
• Colin Charlton
• Carol Ridgeway-Bisset
• Steve Posselt
• everyone who volunteered at the kitchen, welcome desk, first aid tent, child care tent, or anywhere else on the day
• ....probably we've forgotten people, so thanks to everyone else too.

 

 

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 Here's the press release we sent out at the end of the protest:

Coal port successfully shut down for a day

 

Today's community blockade of the world's biggest coal port in Newcastle
has succeeded in stopping all ship movements in the harbour..

"500 Australians took action against the country's largest contribution
to climate change today, successfully shutting down the world's biggest
coal port," said Ms Phillips.

"For 11 hours there has not been a single coal ship movement in Newcaste
Harbour, which is remarkable. There were also no dredging barges moving in
Newcastle today. This is a huge boost for the community campaign for a
phase out of coal."

Dredging barges would ordinarily have been moving in out of Newcastle
Harbour all day, constructing the city's third coal terminal.

"Today has been a huge success for the Australian Climate movement as they
joined together to show that our we are tired of being ignored and would
like to see a phase out of the coal industry and a push for a transition
into a renewable energy future."

"The coal ndustry is currently in decline, with the price of coal dropping
45% since this time last year. Now is a perfect time for the government to
start moving away from coal: in order to create stable jobs in renewable
industries that can cope with climate change."

"Today's successful blockade is an inspiration for community members who
are fed up with government inaction on climate change and are practising
civil disobedience in larger and larger numbers", said Ms Phillips.