This heading ‘Rising Tide: Stopping the coal ships to Paynesville’ may surprise people familiar with Paynesville. They will note that this small town on the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria is an unlikely coal port. However last Sunday dozens of protesters gathered to stop the ship, Disaster, moored at the Port of Paynesville Jetty, from loading with coal.

The protest was organised by Rising Tide Gippsland. It was supported by East Gippsland Climate Action Network.

Of course this was really to promote the big Rising Tide protest taking place in the real coal port at Newcastle in November. An exciting event and great practice for the real thing next month!

Coal Ship Disaster moored at Paynesville

Close to 70 people of all ages gathered with the plan to kayak onto the lake and surround the coal ship to stop them loading up.

Why protest?

Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas. The emissions from these exports dwarf our domestic climate pollution. The Port of Newcastle is the biggest coal port in the world, and Australia’s single largest contributor to the climate crisis. (Forecasts for fossil fuel production and exports – good for mining companies, bad for the climate)

The Protest:

After some inspiring speeches the protest moved to the jetty on foot rather than by water as the winds exceeded the organisers safe wind speed.

The Captain of the coal ship Disaster raises the white flag.
The Rising Tide protesters celebrate the victory

Gallery of photos from the Rising Tide Protest

(Images by Kerry)

The First Wave video: An inspiring video of the 2023 blocked of Newcastle Port

Check out the video – it really is inspiring and the 2024 event is looking to be truly amazing. Aiming for 10,000 participants, with music legends to entertain and plenty of kayaks to get us out on the water we want a many people as possible to come long.

Watch the video here: The First Wave

Rising Tide:

Rising Tides History from https://www.risingtide.org.au

Rising Tide: Newcastle and Canberra

The Rising Tide Blockade and Canberra Wave details: https://www.risingtide.org.au/blockade-updates

You can register for more information, for either of the main events, find out the lineup of entertainment, which includes John Butler and Peter Garrett, or access more information about Rising Tide and their goals.

Rising Tide East Gippsland

The poster for The People’s Blockade – Port of Paynesville

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