Hunter coal protesters slapped with major new chargers

Two environment activists from Victoria, who allegedly obstructed trains carrying grain and coal in the Hunter Region, are facing a 25 year prison sentence if convicted.

Two environment activists from Victoria, who allegedly obstructed trains carrying grain and coal in the Hunter Region, are facing a 25 year prison sentence if convicted.

The women – aged 28 and 24 – will front Newcastle court today after being charged under section 211 of the Crimes Act.

A 40-year-old man has also been arrested in relation to the protests and will be charged later today.

NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said the hefty new criminal charge will now be the “preferred” one for environmental vandals that have wrecked havoc in the Hunter for the past two weeks.

“We’ve done our research, we’ve gotten our legal advice … 25 years jail these people will be facing potentially if they continue this type of behaviour,” he said.

“You’ve had your moment in the sun, you’ve had your protest. (It’s) time to stop because if you don’t, you will be facing the full force of the law.”

The charges are the first laid down by a new police strike force established to crack down on anti-coal activists holding freight companies hostage in the Hunter Valley, as Police Minister David Elliott called on the courts to impose heavy penalties on those found guilty of blocking train lines.

Police on Monday announced the formation of Strike Force Tuohy to tackle the group Blockade Australia, which has claimed responsibility for at least 15 track closures in just over a week in a high-profile series of rolling protests.

As part of the strike force, police will increase patrols of the rail line north of Newcastle, while support from intelligence resources, the public order and riot squad and Polair have been made available to assist local cops.

Mr Elliott said “enough is enough” and called on the “mindless” protesters to “stop disrupting our exports and endangering lives”.

This picture was posted to the Blockade Australia Facebook page on Monday afternoon. Picture: Facebook

“These protesters could have easily caused a major train derailment over the last week, and have cost coal mining communities millions in lost exports,” he said.

He also called for courts to crack down on “unacceptable economic vandalism”.

“I also urge the courts to deal with those put before them for unacceptable economic vandalism and illegal acts with more than a mere $200 fine, which is generally what we have seen to date.”

It comes after The Daily Telegraph last week reported the protests – which continued over the weekend and into Monday – were preventing millions of dollars’ worth of coal, grain and cotton from reaching ports in Newcastle and Botany.

Eight men and nine women have been arrested since November 5 in connection with the protests, which have included allegedly parking a vehicle across train tracks at Sandgate, as well as members of the group suspending themselves from harnesses connected with rope to train tracks.

All 17 have been charged with various trespass and rail disruption offences.

Industry figures say between 50 to 60 freight train services to both the Port of Newcastle, containing coal and grain, and loads of cotton to Port Botany have now been cancelled since November 5 – with each freight worth up to $1 million in export value.

Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, said the actions of the group were putting lives at risk.

“Illegally entering rail corridors and expecting trains that are over 1.5km in length to stop for people placing themselves in front of them is outrageous and incredibly dangerous behaviour,’’ Commissioner McKenna said.

The CEO of the NSW Minerals Council Stephen Galilee, said the protesters had “no regard for the safety of freight workers’’ or for the “time and resources of police and emergency services.’’