Nine Charged By Police Following Rail Protest at Sandgate Yesterday

26 September 2024

[UPDATED – RELEASED ON BAIL – SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES]

Nine adults have been charged following an unauthorised protest at a rail corridor near Maitland Road, Sandgate yesterday. The demonstration, organised by climate activists, is connected to recent coal mine extension approvals in the Hunter Valley, which have ignited heated environmental debates across the region.

Police were called to the scene around 10 am after reports emerged of protesters obstructing a coal train bound for the Port of Newcastle. The protest resulted in the arrests of four men, aged 24, 48, 60, and 69, and five women, aged 18, 20, 23, 42, and 66. The individuals were taken to Newcastle Police Station, where they were charged with multiple offences, including causing obstruction to railway locomotives and entering restricted lands without lawful excuse.

The nine protesters have been refused bail and are scheduled to appear before Newcastle Local Court today, Thursday, 26 September 2024.

The protest comes in the wake of federal approvals granted to extend operations at three coal mines across New South Wales, including MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant Optimisation Project, Yancoal’s Ravensworth Underground Mine, and Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri Underground Mine. These extensions, aimed at supporting long-term employment in the Hunter Valley and surrounding areas, have drawn criticism from environmental groups who argue the projects contradict Australia’s climate targets.

Activist group Rising Tide has taken responsibility for yesterday’s protest, stating that their actions were intended to draw attention to what they perceive as the government’s failure to commit to meaningful climate action. “We will continue to resist any coal projects that put our planet’s future at risk,” a spokesperson for Rising Tide said.

UPDATE 26/9/2024 at 5:50pm

Rising Tide Protesters Released on Bail After Court Appearance

All nine activists from climate action group Rising Tide have been released on bail after being arrested for stopping a coal train. The protest, which occurred in opposition to the Labor Government’s approval of new coal projects, saw the group spend the night in custody.

The arrested activists have a court date set for 10 October 2024. Rising Tide praised the courage of the protesters, stating that they were standing against a government that continues to expand the coal industry in the face of the ongoing climate crisis.

The group is now rallying support for further action, calling for people to join them in Newcastle from 19-26 November to blockade the world’s largest coal port. They are also planning to protest in Canberra from 26-28 November, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to end the approval of new coal and gas projects.

Rising Tide remains determined to pressure the government into taking meaningful climate action.

Images of Rising Tide Celebrating Outside Newcastle Courthouse on Thursday