Two more environmental protesters from the Fireproof Australia group who blocked traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge have faced court.
Alan Glover and Karen Fitz-Gibbon appeared in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after blocking traffic on the bridge in April 2022.
A Hino pantech truck was parked in the left-most lane heading towards the CBD, a part of the Cahill Expressway separated from the rest of the bridge traffic by a concrete median.
Glover climbed on the roof of the truck and lit a flare, while Fitz-Gibbon glued her hand to the roadway.
"After 11 months of harsh bail conditions, the two finally have their day (or days) in court," Fireproof Australia said in a statement on Monday.
The group warned the hearings could run for up to three days as the pair "challenge the absurdity of the charges they face".
Instead, Glover and Fitz-Gibbon both entered guilty pleas to entering the Sydney Harbour Bridge and obstructing vehicles, while other charges were withdrawn on Tuesday.
Lawyers for the pair told Magistrate Daniel Reiss agreements had been reached with prosecuting police.
He said the matter could probably be finalised on Tuesday and adjourned the hearing after material was tendered to the court.
The NSW government added new offences to the Roads Act in 2022, specifically targeting protesters who block traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and "other major bridges, tunnels and roads".
It came into effect 12 days before the protest Glover and Fitz-Gibbon were involved in, following a number of protests and public backlash, and passed parliament in less than 72 hours, supported by the Labor opposition.
Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich credited the speedy passage to a Sydney talk radio station.
"The government and the opposition have met the deadline that was set by 2GB to rush through this poorly drafted legislation, which will have no meaningful impact other than to see fines increased and more people spending more time in jail," he said.
People charged under the new offence can face up to two years in prison and fines up to $22,000.
The law is due to be reviewed by the end of 2024.
