City of Sydney ratepayers will give $22,000 to Rising Tide thanks to Clover Moore’s party

Ratepayers are unimpressed after Clover Moore’s council voted to donate $22,000 to climate activists on the back of a protest held more than 160km away from their local government area.

Clover Moore’s City of Sydney council will donate $22,000 to Rising Tide to help it cover costs after more than 170 people were arrested at the activist group’s Port of Newcastle protest.

Ms Moore’s council ally, Jess Miller, moved a motion on Monday night to donate the money, from the city’s Contingency Fund, for Rising Tide to use on “whatever they so choose”.

All councillors except Liberal Lyndon Gannon voted for the donation, as part of a motion calling on Premier Chris Minns to repeal anti-protest laws.

The no-strings-attached donation could end up going to cover legal costs or fines incurred by serial protesters who blocked Australia’s busiest coal port over the weekend.

Mr Gannon labelled the donation a “slap in the face to everyone that is living in the real world”.

Clover Moore’s, right, City of Sydney council has voted to donate $22,000 to Rising Tide – which was protesting more than 160km away from the City of Sydney LGA, on the back of a motion from Moore's 2IC, Jess Miller, left. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

“Ratepayers’ money should not be given to organisations that deliberately break the law,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“We have food relief centres and homeless shelters with lines out the door, and we give money to a fringe climate change action group because it ‘feels good’.

The donation is the equivalent to the annual council rates of about 32 apartments.

Labor councillors Zann Maxwell and Mitch Wilson broke ranks with the state Labor government to vote in favour of the motion.

Mr Maxwell said laws increasing penalties for protesters who block train tracks, passed by the Minns government last week, were “rushed through parliament without community consultation”.

“They infringe upon basic liberties and protections expected in our democratic society,” Mr Maxwell said.

Rising Tide protesters in kayaks at Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle. Photographer: Adam Yip

Supporting the motion, Ms Moore said that a protest where almost 200 people were arrested is an “indication of the terrible distress people are feeling,” while falsely claiming that Australia is the world’s “largest coal exporter”.

“How shameful is it to be the world’s largest coal exporter at a time of accelerating global warming,” she said.

Indonesia was the world’s largest coal exporter in 2023, while Australia was second.

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig labelled the donation “absurd,” suggesting CBD businesses mount their own protest on Town Hall against the decision.

“How does subsiding a protest 170kms up the M1 improve service delivery in the City of Sydney?”

Asked whether the money would be used to cover fines or legal bills, Rising Tide spokesman Zack Schofield said: “We will use this generous donation to support our community in fighting for an end to new coal and gas, and a fair transition for Hunter workers”.

Zetland resident and ratepayer Adam Brown questioned the decision by Clover Moore, saying the protest group has nothing to do with her council.

“I don’t know what business it is for the City of Sydney to be bailing out protestors in Newcastle,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said the $22,000 donation of ratepayer money to Rising Tide may not seem a lot but shouldn’t be put to anything other than council matters.

“It may seem like a drop in the bucket but why is City of Sydney (Council) spending money outside of the city at all?”

He said the money would be better off spent for local facilities such as installing lights at the popular Joynton Park in the centre of Zetland which would allow people to enjoy the space at all times of the day.

“We’ve been waiting years for the council to install lights at the park.”

“They have been approved to be installed and in need of a change of lighting laws but it’s just an example of an issue that’s taking years to improve.”

Zetland resident Adam Brown questioned the decision by Clover Moore, saying the protest group has nothing to do with her council.

“I don’t know what business it is for the City of Sydney to be bailing out protestors in Newcastle,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said the $22,000 donation of ratepayer money to Rising Tide may not seem a lot but shouldn’t be put to anything other than council matters.

“It may seem like a drop in the bucket but why is City of Sydney (Council) spending money outside of the city at all,” he said.

Zetland finance worker Sylvie Black slammed the move to give ratepayers’ money to the protest group

“I think Sydney City Council should stick to running the city and forget about protesters and what they are protesting about - especially coal,” Ms Black said.

“It’s part of our economy whether we like it or not.”

Ms Black said the punishments handed down against protests should not be paid for by the ratepayer.

“I don’t care if they protest, and that’s up to them if they get fined or arrested. That is apart of their decision of protesting and nothing to do with us,” she said.

“It has got nothing to do with them, (the council should) focus on our beautiful city.”