On Wednesday, about 100 local people, led by three Aboriginal Traditional Owners, held a peaceful demonstration in the contested logging area.

The group has renewed the call for Premier Keneally to put a permanent stop to the destruction of what they describe as a “critical koala habitat”.

“We were delighted that Aboriginal traditional owners joined us in this united community action today,” Harriet Swift of CHIPSTOP said.

“The action has been taken by a large group of local people in the face of threats of arrest and automatic fines of $2000 per person just for entering the general area of the logging.”

The traditional owners said they were distressed that woodchip logging is taking place on part of our sacred land and that is should be preserved for future generations.

Prue Acton of the South East Conservation Alliance said: “The Premier simply cannot continue to ignore the environmental and cultural disaster taking place here”.

“She also has a responsibility to the koalas and all the other animals and to future generations to preserve our wonderful forest heritage.”