By Rebekah Ison, Phoebe Baker

A group of coal seam gas protestors, including conservationist Bob Irwin, appeared in court today after their arrest during a blockade near Chinchilla in southern Queensland last month.

The Magistrates Court imposed a $300 fine on Mr Irwin, father of the late ‘crocodile hunter’ Steve Irwin, for refusing to obey a police officer.

Queensland Greens spokeswoman Libby Connors is to serve a 12-month good behaviour bond.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Drew Hutton, who was charged with obstruction, was ordered to reappear in court in August.

But Mr Hutton said the charges will not stop him fighting against coal seam gas mining.

“I don’t intend to cooperate in any way which is very bad legislation,” he said.

“It really cuts across the rights of land owners [and] going to have major environmental impacts on this state and on this country, and I don’t intend to be a part of it in any way.”

Mr Hutton is calling for farmers to join the Lock The Gate Alliance and stand up to mining companies.

“Don’t negotiate with these mining companies [and] don’t fall for the story that you’ve got no choice,” he said.