An Aboriginal woman's request for her trespass case to be heard on Country has been rejected by a Hobart magistrate.

Yorta Yorta/Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ruth Langford's request for her hearing relating to two counts of trespass was turned down by Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason on Monday.

Also known as Tipruthanna, Ms Langford was charged with trespass and is self-representing following protest incidents at logging coups in Snow Hill and Lonnavale in January and April 2025.

After participating in the "peaceful actions to protect native forests", Ms Langford said she was "exceedingly disappointed" by the court's decision.

"When Aboriginal people are asked to speak about Country, they should be able to do that on Country - where they feel safe, supported and properly understood," she said.

"My invitation was about creating that pathway - not just for me, but for my community and the wider community, and for future generations, who are increasingly feeling the responsibility to speak about caring for Country in this critical time of climate change and threats to our natural and cultural heritage."

Ms Langford had invited the Court to hear evidence at Risdon Cove, Aboriginal-owned land she says is of immense cultural significance to the Aboriginal community.

On-Country hearings are used in other parts of Australia, Ms Langford said, including in Federal Court proceedings, but there are currently no established protocols in Tasmania or specialist Aboriginal courts to support this approach.

"If the Aboriginal Heritage Act was stronger, I would not need to be protecting Country from destructive logging," Ms Langford said.

Ms Langford said the case has prompted broader discussion about how legal processes can evolve to better support culturally safe participation and recognise First Nations lore within existing systems.

Despite the Lonnavale charge being dropped on Monday, Ms Langford described her unsuccessful request for the remaining charge to be heard on Country as a missed opportunity.

"The Colonial Court had the power to hear and receive evidence On Country," she said. "The Court has a moral obligation to take into consideration the unique cultural connection to Country as described by the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People. Today the Court denied this right."

The Mercury reports Chief Magistrate Geason told the court Ms Langford argued holding the case on Aboriginal-owned land would assist the court understand the defence case, including Aboriginal identity, cultural practices and law, and connection to Country.

Ms Langford also argued argued an on-Country setting would be more culturally appropriate for her witnesses, saying the proposed location was fit for court purposes.

In explaining her decision, Chief Magistrate Geason said the determine factor was was whether Ms Langford's defence would be prejudiced if the court did not sit on Country.

After noting Ms Langford's arguments, she determined the case would not be prejudiced by proceeding in a standard court setting.

Following the hearing, Ms Langford conveyed her disappointment and resolve.

"We will not give up. The most important thing is that we must protect our waterways and those ancient forests that we all depend upon," she said outside court.

"We will be coming back to court so that we can shift and change the way people treat Aboriginal people.

"There is a heartache right now, because once again it's a clear denial of identity and our unique connection to Country."

The case returns to court on June 4.