Though no machinery arrived at Wallum this morning, contractors and police were on the development site at Brunswick Heads as well as dozens of Save Wallum protesters.
A Save Wallum spokesperson said that negotiations between the Save Wallum Police liaison and NSW Police have resulted in contractors packing up and leaving for the day.
Machinery that arrived yesterday morning left the development site in the afternoon at around 2pm, but not before several people locked-on and arrests were made.
Locked-on
Angela from Suffolk Park locked-on to an excavator for about one and a half hours before Police Rescue cut through the bike chain around her waist device and arrested her. ‘The rescue services were neutral, and they treated me professionally – they had a job to do and that was to remove my lock-on device safely. They placed the safety headphones and glasses on me and placed a protective sheet behind me in order to use the angle grinder to cut the chain and padlock.
Angela says the arresting officers did as they said they would do. ‘I didn’t communicate with them other than to say I didn’t have a key to unchain myself. My focus was on protecting country – I feel that I shouldn’t have been arrested as the traditional owners/custodians of the land and local mob gave us permission to protect country and be on the land, and we collectively tried to do that.’
Angela said she has been following the campaign for a while. ‘I want the NSW Legislative Assembly to halt stage 2 works at Wallum until the inquiry into Zombie DAs is complete and we want a Moratorium for all Zombie DAs in NSW.
Banging my head against a brick wall
‘I have signed petitions, written letters and made phone calls but it’s like banging my head against a brick wall. They are not listening. They are not acting in the best interest of the local community.
‘When I saw bulldozers and machinery approaching land, trees and lives I was there to protect, something inside of me kicked in and I went into protective mode. I did what anyone protecting life would do and I put my safety and freedom on the line to protect what is dear to my heart.
‘At that point in time there was no other option but to take the opportunity to stall that excavator from destroying sacred land, I saw an opening and I took it.’
Protect country, sacred land, endangered species, trees
Angela says she wants to protect country, sacred land, endangered species, trees that have been there for centuries and the frog ponds. ‘We don’t need over 100 luxury homes in an area that is still recovering from devasting floods. People are still displaced from the floods and there is a housing crisis. Bringing in over 100 luxury homes will only further bring up the cost of living and make the housing crisis worse. Those luxury homes will end up being investment properties for Air BnB, the land is a wetland and floods any time it rains.
‘I am proud to stand strong with my fellow Wallum Protectors. Together we will win this! SAVE WALLUM!’
A Save Wallum spokesperson said that eight people were arrested between the morning’s stand-off with police and the lock-ons in the afternoon.
Save Wallum protectors say they will stay on site and are committed to keeping Wallum safe.
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