Anti-coal protestors are vowing not to give up their fight to save the Leard State Forest, after being forced to pack up their camp on Tuesday.
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The group has been camped out in the forest, on public land, since August, 2012, however a Narrabri Shire Council meeting last week ended in eviction orders of the group of around 20 people.
Anti-mine activist, Jonathon Moylan, was among those who helped pack up their belongings.
Moylan, one of the original members of the camp, allegedly sent a hoax press release from ANZ Bank in January last year, informing shareholders that ANZ was planning to withdraw $1.2 billion in funding from the Maules Creek coal mine.
He is being prosecuted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for making false and misleading statements in that press release.
“It seems Narrabri council has left no place on public land to freely assemble and express ourselves,” Mr Moylan said.
“We decided it was easier to move the camp, rather than continue the stoush with Narrabri council.”
It took all of Tuesday to move the protestors’ belongings.
The fight isn’t over however, with the group setting up a new camp on a Maules Creek private property, 10 kilometres away.
“We’ll be continuing to use people action to protect the forest,” Mr Moylan said.
He said most of the protestors are self funded, with money also provided by at least six environmental organisations.
