'Axe to grind': Climate activists bailed after climbing coal wagons in Hunter

Sarah Cartwright, 73, and Kimberley Croxford, 33, appeared in Newcastle Local Court via video link from custody on Thursday.

Cartwright, from South Australia, was arrested after allegedly climbing aboard a coal train wagon at Tarro in an incident which blocked passenger trains on the Hunter line for several hours.

Police officers and the rescue squad were called at about 8pm on Wednesday, June 26, to reports of an unauthorised protest.

Croxford, from Victoria, was arrested after allegedly climbing atop a coal train at Rix's Creek in the Hunter Valley, near Singleton at about 8.30am on Wednesday.

The police prosecutor opposed bail for each woman.

He argued their actions had endangered workers, impacted community members, and taken police resources away from other matters.

The prosecutor said the group the pair was involved with, Blockade Australia, had caused harm and cost millions of dollars in lost production.

Acting magistrate Anthony Stone said he could only deal with the charges before the court and the circumstances in which they occurred.

"Nothing more, nothing less," he said.

He said it appeared Cartwright was a 73-year-old climate activist who may have an "axe to grind in that regard".

When dealing with Croxford's bail application, he said "let's be real" and that he could "hardly refuse her bail" in circumstances where she had a limited record.

Both women were bailed on strict conditions, including not to enter industrial rail corridors, not to associate with other charged protesters of Blockade Australia, and to forfeit $500 if they fail to comply.

Cartwright will face Maitland court, and Croxford will face Singleton court, in July.

They each face charges of entering inclosed non-agricultural lands - serious safety risk; causing obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock; and entering inclosed lands without a lawful excuse.

A 21-year-old Sydney man, also with Blockade Australia, will front Newcastle Local Court on Friday, June 28, after being refused bail by police.

He was arrested near the Iron Bark Creek Bridge at Hexham on Thursday after police were called to reports of an unauthorised protest at about 3.15am.

He was charged with entering inclosed non-agricultural lands - serious safety risk; and cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock.

It follows on from four people being fined over unauthorised protests at Newcastle, and others being charged, during action earlier this week.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and Premier Chris Minns have slammed the unauthorised protesters.

"Ongoing, illegal and dangerous protest activity on the [ARTC Hunter Valley rail lines is placing the public, protestors, and emergency services and rail staff lives at risk," an ARTC spokesperson said.

"The illegal activities of protestors undertaken overnight have demonstrated an escalation in the incredibly dangerous tactics being deployed. Whilst recognising people's right to protest; protesters trespassing in a live rail corridor can be fatal and puts themselves, our rail workers, the travelling public and train drivers at risk of serious harm."