A climate change protester who was jailed for at least eight months after blocking the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been granted bail pending an appeal.
Deanna "Violet" Maree Coco drove a truck onto the bridge to block a southbound lane of traffic during peak hour on a Wednesday morning in April.
The 32-year-old was acting with the climate activist group Fireproof.
She also ignited a distress flare from the roof of the vehicle.
A law introduced that same month targets people who take part in illegal protests on public roads or bridges that have the effect of "shutting down major economic activity," Attorney-General Mark Speakman said at the time.
Those convicted face a fine of up to $22,000 and two years in jail.
Coco pleaded guilty to several charges including entering Sydney Harbour Bridge and disrupting vehicles, and use or modify authorised explosive not as prescribed.
On December 3 she became the first person in the state to be sentenced under the new laws, and was jailed for a maximum term of 15 months with a non-parole period of eight months.
On Tuesday, Judge Timothy Gartelmann granted Coco bail in the lead-up to her District Court appeal against the severity of her sentence, listed for March next year.
The bail conditions prevent her from going within one kilometre of the Sydney Harbour Bridge until December 29, when she must live at a Lismore address and only enter the greater Sydney metropolitan area to attend court.
She must also continue receiving treatment from a psychologist.
Fellow Fireproof protester Jay Larbalestier did not receive a prison sentence, and said the justice system had responded disproportionately.
"Prior to sentencing, Violet had already spent three days in custody," he said outside the Downing Centre court.
"After that she spent a further 20 days under house arrest followed by 126 days under strict curfew."
Greens MP Sue Higginson said the state government's anti-protest laws went too far.
"No person in a mature democracy should ever have to go to prison and suffer being held in prison for a peaceful act of civil disobedience," she said.
"The government, in lock-step with the opposition, has … placed our democracy and the people of New South Wales and our civil rights at risk."
She said her party would work to repeal the laws as a matter of urgency.
