The NSW Police Force is aware of a public assembly being conducted on, and in the vicinity of, the Port of Newcastle from 19 to 26 November 2024.
The NSWPF acknowledges the right to free speech and political demonstration and routinely facilitates public assemblies across the state, where it is safe to do so.
On Thursday 7 November 2024, the Supreme Court validated the NSW Police Force’s concerns regarding the safety of the public assembly.
On 14 and 15 November 2024, representatives submitted a further five Form 1s in relation to various aspects of the public assembly. The NSW Police Force objected to all five Form 1s on the grounds of public safety. Four Form 1s were withdrawn shortly after formal consultation with NSW Police; however, the fifth Form 1 was withdrawn only after NSW Police commenced further proceedings in the Supreme Court to prohibit that aspect of the public assembly.
The local council have permitted the public assembly to occur on their land at Foreshore Park. In response to the assembly, a high-visibility police operation is underway to ensure the safety of participants, the community, and users of the Port of Newcastle.
For their own safety and the safety of other users of the Port, the NSW Police Force requests that people who attend this event follow the directions of police and refrain from entering the harbour.
Due to the potential to affect the safety of navigation, Transport for NSW has advised a Special Event Maritime Exclusion Zone will be established in the waters on and near Newcastle Harbour between 5pm tomorrow (Thursday 21 November 2024) and 8am on Monday 25 November 2024.
The zone will be patrolled by police and maritime control vessels, and only vessels that have been authorised by a Boating Safety Officer or a Police Officer may transit directly through the zone in accordance with any directions given.
Persons within the vicinity of the zone must comply with any directions given by any Boating Safety Officer or Police Officer in relation to the special event or to marine safety, and failure to comply with any such direction is an offence.
Further, no unauthorised vessels or persons are permitted to enter the zone and to do so may be an offence.
For more information on the Maritime Exclusion Zone, visit the Transport for NSW website: www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways-boating-and-transport-information/restrictions-and-closures-on-nsw-waterways/marine-notices
Again, the NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community and there will be zero tolerance for illegal and dangerous behaviour.
