The fight to save the Wallum heathland in Brunswick Heads has gone into overdrive, with dozens of locals staunchly holding the line on-site, while thousands more lobby state and federal politicians in pursuit of permanent protection.
With the developer Clarence Property seemingly resolute in its determination to turn the site into a 124-lot housing development, the Save Wallum community has established a 24-hour bush camp at the site to ensure that the bulldozers and slashers don’t roll in unnoticed.
Ready to participate in NVDA
Should the developer move in, text messages declaring a ‘red alert’ will immediately be sent to hundreds of people across the region who have indicated they are ready to participate in non-violent direct action to preserve the site.
Those on the frontline, including a number in tree sits, are supported by dozens more providing food, supplies, moral support and updates.
‘The real focus right now is the boots on the ground,’ said James Barrie, one of the leaders of the Save Wallum community.
‘That is the very thing that will allow us to continue working in other areas to obtain permanent protection.’
‘They could bring machinery in at any time, which would be a breach of the Environmental Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) protection process which is still underway. So the Wallum protectors are there to make sure they can’t start slashing which would be an illegal action.’
As those residing at or visiting the bush camp take part in art projects, guided nature walks and musical performances, a group of security guards hired by the developer sit less than 200m away on the other side of the fence.
The firm chosen is the same as that currently providing security for the pod village at Bayside.
‘They’re walking up and down, preventing people from entering the fenced area,’ Mr Barrie said.
Mixed response from security
‘There’s a mixed response from security so far. Some have been allowing supplies to get in, some haven’t.’
Meanwhile, thousands of people across the region are demanding action at the state and federal level to protect the site.
More than 1,000 emails have been sent to NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully and Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek demanding action.
In particular, they are calling for the development to be ‘called in’ under the Commonwealth’s EPBC, and for it to be the subject of an Interim Heritage Order on the grounds of cultural and environmental significance.
‘Those 1,000 emails were the outcome of a campaign led by [NSW Upper House MP] Sue Higginson – our group hasn’t even put a call out on that one yet,’ Mr Barrie said.
A Change.org petition calling for state and federal involvement has also been launched, with around 6,000 having signed at the time of writing.
Growing base
The campaign’s financial base is also growing, with nearly $16,000 raised via GoFundMe as of Monday afternoon, toward a target of $50,000. The growing war chest is part of a recognition that the fight to save Wallum is likely to be a marathon rather than a sprint.
‘This is a campaign to Save Wallum, but it’s also a fight to raise awareness about zombie DAs and to set a precedent so that this kind of thing doesn’t happen somewhere else,’ Mr Barrie said.
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