ON Wednesday, August 30 four protesters faced court in Coffs Harbour in relation to actions taken in forests around the Coffs Coast.

Tiffany Daro and Ruby Oliver-King locked themselves on to logging machinery in Orara East State Forest on June 7, Hannah Harlen and Ishka Targett locked on in Newry State Forest on August 1 and Neville Kirk Jnr took protest action in Newry on August 2.

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They appeared before a magistrate in Coffs Harbour Local Court and were represented by the Environmental Defenders Office.

“While I feel nervous about court, I also feel good for standing up and protecting this beautiful country from destruction,” Mr Kirk said before the hearing.

“My sister is Gumbaynggirr and I do this for her, and the Gumbaynggirr mob and all the animals of the forest.”

Ms Targett said that locking on to logging equipment was the “most necessary and immediate way to stop the logging of culturally significant sites and entire ecosystems”.

“When I was locked on, it was heartbreaking to see the destruction already done, and now I feel even more frustrated that I am going through the legal system for fighting to protect the environment,” she said.

Ms Targett, Ms Harlen and Mr Kirk have had their cases adjourned until September 6, while Ms Daro and Ruby Oliver-King will next appear on September 13.

By Andrew VIVIAN