Moved by Councillor Thompson, seconded by
Councillor Ellsmore –
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note:
(i)
the City
of Sydney has a proud history of supporting the right to peaceful protest as a
fundamental cornerstone of democracy;
(ii)
the
2025 People’s Blockade, organised by Rising Tide, took place from 27 November
to 2 December 2025. This event saw over 8,000 people, from all over the
country, come together in Newcastle to peacefully protest the climate
emergency; and
(iii)
Rising
Tide organise around 3 key demands: ending the expansion of new fossil fuel
projects, significantly increasing funding for the community and industrial
green transition – funded by increased taxes on fossil fuel exports, and end
all coal exports from the Port of Newcastle – the world’s largest coal port –
by 2030;
(B)
Council
further note:
(i)
in
2019, the City of Sydney declared a climate emergency, calling for urgent, and
comprehensive action to decarbonise the Australian economy, and fund a just
transition for effected industries and communities;
(ii)
last
year, following the 2024 People’s Blockade, the City of Sydney voted in support
of the principles of the event, condemned the NSW Government’s criminalisation
of protest and inaction on climate change, and provided a donation of $22,000
to Rising Tide;
(iii)
at this
year’s November 2025 Council meeting, Council called for bold action to phase
out fossil fuel exports, tax concessions for coal and gas companies and
redirect these funds towards net zero and climate adaptation;
(iv)
Rising
Tide has a history of advocating for these principles and policy outcomes
through peaceful, non-violent direct action;
(v)
nevertheless,
in recent years the NSW Labor Government has consistently legislated new, and
increasingly punitive, laws to encroach on the democratic right to protest in
response to peaceful action from organisations like Rising Tide;
(vi)
the
2025 People’s Blockade saw over 141 people arrested for non-violent, civil
disobedience in pursuit of a just transition and meaningful action on the
climate crisis, including local activist Wendy Bacon;
(vii)
from
the suffragettes to land rights, the labour movement and beyond, non-violent,
peaceful protest has been a cornerstone of Australian democracy and a
fundamental part of delivering lasting, progressive change in this country; and
(viii)
it is
beholden on all who believe, both in the fundamental right to democracy, and in
protecting a safe, sustainable future for this planet and its people, to stand
with movements like Rising Tide;
(C)
Council
acknowledge and support the commitment of Rising Tide, and the People’s
Blockade, in peacefully advocating for urgent action in line with overwhelming
climate science;
(D)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to write to the Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, and the
Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, noting Council’s support of
Rising Tide and reiterating the City’s support for the demands of the People’s
Blockade; and
(E)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to meet with the organisers of Rising
Tide, before the February 2026 Council meeting, to discuss how the City may
provide support to the organisation, including, but not limited to, access to a
City venue for a public event, as it plans the 2026 People’s Blockade.
The motion was carried on the following show
of hands –
Ayes (9) The Chair (the
Lord Mayor), Councillors Arkins, Ellsmore, Kok, Maxwell, Miller, Thompson,
Weldon and Worling
Noes (1) Councillor
Gannon.
Carried.
X113760