A group of climate activists who blockaded the world's largest coal port for half a day have avoided prison terms after facing court in Newcastle.
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The 19 activists, affiliated with community group Frontline Action on Coal, shut down the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group port and Port Waratah for six hours in September 2018.
Spokeswoman and defendant Laura Levetan said the activists - whose ages at the time ranged from 20 to 62 - were charged with intentionally or recklessly hindering the work of mining equipment.
The 64-year-old Castlemaine woman faced magistrate Sharron Crews at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday and was - alongside 17 others in the group - found guilty but given no conviction and placed on conditional 12-month release.
One of the activists, Maxim O'Donnell Curmi, was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community correction order.
The group's action came amid a reported "training camp" for anti-coal activists.
Police Superintendent Brett Greentree at the time said some of the protesters ignored police warnings.
Australian Associated Press