URGENT UPDATE: Newcastle Liberal councillors are “actively pursuing” the rescission of the recent approval for Rising Tide’s climate concert event scheduled for 2025. Just days after a narrow council vote on August 12, 2025, which granted partial approval for the use of Camp Shortland, the political landscape is shifting rapidly.
In a contentious 6-5 vote, the Newcastle council allowed Rising Tide to host its event but deferred final decisions on Foreshore Park as a campground to the City of Newcastle’s CEO, Jeremy Bath. This decision has sparked significant backlash from Liberal councillors who argue it undermines the council’s authority to regulate events with potential reputational risks.
Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull, alongside fellow councillor Jenny Barrie, is leading the charge to reverse the council’s decision. “I have been encouraged by residents and key stakeholders to rescind Tuesday night’s decision,” Cr Pull stated. “Liberal councillors are actively pursuing this option.” Their concerns center around an amendment that would delegate future event approvals to staff rather than the elected council.
The Rising Tide group celebrated the council’s initial decision, labeling it a “collective win” and a demonstration of the power of community action. They took to social media to express their gratitude, saying, “It is a powerful reminder that people power works.”
However, Cr Pull asserts that the approved motion could hinder the council’s ability to impose conditions on Rising Tide’s activities in the future. He emphasized, “There is a reason that the lord mayor was asked to make a decision on this protest last year. There are major reputational risks to the council, no matter which way the decision went.”
As the situation develops, the Newcastle community is on edge. The ongoing debate raises vital questions about the balance between supporting public events and managing potential risks to the council’s reputation. What happens next remains uncertain as the Liberal councillors prepare to present their case for rescission.
Residents are urged to stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds. The implications of this decision could reverberate throughout the community, influencing not just the Rising Tide event but future event approvals in Newcastle.
