'We'll protest harder': NSW farmers

NSW farmers and activists have reacted angrily to a proposed crackdown on anti-mining protests, saying hefty fines won't stop them.

The Baird government has proposed new laws to hike maximum fines for illegal entry to mining and CSG sites tenfold, from $550 to $5500, and give police greater search, seizure and move-on powers.

Resources Minister Anthony Roberts said the government supported legal protests but unlawful activities were dangerous, costly, and tied up police resources.

But northern NSW grazier and anti-CSG protester Neil Kennedy, 73, said the proposed measures would not stop him or others from staging peaceful protests to save their land.

"We'll certainly protest and we'll protest a bit harder," he told AAP.

"We have evidence to show (CSG mining) is going to totally destroy our environment out here and the government will not listen.

"To bring this in shows that our government is totally controlled by multinationals and the mining companies."

Fellow northern NSW farmer Stuart Murray agreed, saying the issue was not about money.

"We can't stop. We have no choice if we want to protect our families and farms," Mr Murray said.

Lock the Gate national co-ordinator Phil Laird accused Mr Roberts of trying to "use jackboots" to get CSG mining into the Pilliga region, after the government ignored key recommendations by NSW's Chief Scientist.

"What we've really got here is just a large slur against everyday people who've got their livelihoods on the line," Mr Laird said.

However, the NSW Minerals Council praised the proposed laws as a "measured and responsible" approach.

Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee said protesters had interfered with heavy equipment, blocked or sabotaged gates, tampered with explosive charges and rammed a security vehicle.

"These violent and illegal activities put protesters, mine workers, and emergency service personnel at risk," he said.