The Wire

Fourty-one activists from the environmental group Rising Tide were arrested yesterday after breaking into the coal terminals at Newcastle Port and chaining themselves to machinery. As well as direct action, the group is involved a court case they hope will stop the development of two massive new power stations and revolutionise state planning laws. The NSW Government has approved concept plans for new coal or gas fired power stations, saying the projects would create jobs and ensure the state’s energy supply. Rising Tide is challenging the decision in the Land and Environment Court, arguing that the Minister failed to take potential climate change impacts into account.