An exclusion zone around Newcastle Harbour will run Friday through Monday, with a zero-tolerance stance on flotilla disruption and warnings of arrests for participants who obstruct ships.

Police have established the Newcastle Harbour exclusion zone and emphasize a zero-tolerance approach to blocking ships; attendees are urged to avoid actions that impede port operations.

Stuart criticizes federal environment legislation for not curbing coal and gas projects and accuses authorities of prioritizing protest suppression over climate science action.

In 2024, about 7,000 people attended the event, with 170 arrested for paddling into the shipping channel and attempting to block ships.

Protesters, including Alexa Stuart and participants like June Norman, describe the campaign as a communal effort to address climate anxiety and oppose government inaction on fossil fuels.

Authorities warn of safety risks and legal consequences for breaching the exclusion zone, highlighting repeated safety notices and the potential life-threatening danger to participants and responders.

The council anchors its approval in its climate emergency declaration and net-zero commitments, while noting harbour access enforcement is a state matter.

Last year’s blockade resulted in hundreds of arrests and ongoing court cases; organizers demand an end to new coal developments, a just transition for workers, and a 78% tax on fossil fuel export profits modeled after Norway.

The event, described as a protestival, blends protests with concerts, workshops, and speeches, headlined by Lime Cordiale, with about 5,000 anticipated attendees.

Rising Tide organizer Alexa Stuart says flotilla launches will proceed despite government attempts to shut them down, casting the blockade as a mass, community-led climate action to stop new coal and gas and to tax coal corporations to fund a just transition away from fossil fuels.

Port authorities say operations and vessel scheduling will continue over the weekend, working with police and port operators to ensure safe cargo passage.

Beyond the flotilla, the weekend program includes a waterfront concert, workshops, and panel discussions, framed as a national gathering for Australians frustrated by slow government climate action.

Organisers frame the action as a response to perceived government inaction and climate science guidance, calling for immediate emissions cuts and decisive fossil fuel policy shifts.

Rising Tide, a climate action group, is leading a six-day protest in Newcastle that culminates in a weekend blockade of the Port of Newcastle, the world’s largest coal export port.

Thousands of climate protesters gather annually in Newcastle for Rising Tide’s blockade, aiming to disrupt harbor activity with a flotilla of kayaks and sailboats.

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe says the council did not facilitate the protest, but licenses for the concert and camping were approved; harbour responsibilities lie with the state government.