Local civil contractor, J&M Bashforth & Sons, has withdrawn from its contract to construct infrastructure for the Wallum urban estate, located on low lying land next to Simpsons Creek in Brunswick Heads.
In a statement, they said it was a difficult decision for the third generation family business, which has operated since 1946.
And while there had been respectful and constructive conversations with those blockading the site, they said, ‘sadly, there have been some not-so-respectful and threatening interactions as well’.
‘The stress of worrying about abuse to our staff, and our family members, brand, damage, vandalism to our yard, and machines has ultimately led to the decision of withdrawing from the project. We believe we can walk away with our heads held high, and wish everyone involved on both sides of the fence all the best’.
Save Wallum campaigner thanks local contractor for quitting project
Save Wallum co-organiser James Barrie thanked the company for withdrawing, and acknowledged they were ‘respectful and non-confrontational with the community protesting the development of threatened species habitat and sacred land’.
‘They certainly can walk away with their heads held high. We are all part of this community, and it was hard being pitted against each other for the sake of outside developer interests and profits…’
Developer laments loss of local jobs
In a statement from Clarence Property, its CEO Simon Kennedy said they ‘respect and appreciate the difficult decision’.
‘Where possible, Clarence Property prefers to use local contractors to support local jobs and local communities, however the safety of staff and contractors remains paramount.
‘Unfortunately, the ongoing threats and intimidation being used by the extreme political activists against local contractors mean some of those jobs and opportunities will now go to contractors from outside the area, discussions with whom have already commenced.
‘We are disappointed that an experienced local civil contractor like Bashforth’s will not be part of what will be an incredible, ecologically sensitive development and we wish them every success for the future.’
Bullying worked.
There was no bullying, or threats to person or property, one loudmouth maybe, but among hundreds, does not define the group.
Not what Bashforth ‘s say
.” ‘sadly, there have been some not-so-respectful and threatening interactions as well’.
‘The stress of worrying about abuse to our staff, and our family members, brand, damage, vandalism to our yard, and machines has ultimately led to the decision of withdrawing from the project. ”
Sue is closer to the mark .
Byron bypass all over again … Council v The People & Environment
Council?
Wow, what happened to non-violent action? Intimidation and threats are violence. Is this the ends justifies the means? Sad to hear about this. A peaceful solution supports the cause. Introducing violence only lowers the tone for everyone, and makes us no better than those that start wars. Seems evolution is lacking on both sides of this argument. Humanity will self destruct eventually, and before the sun explodes. I wonder what will be the next evolution cycle creature.
So you believe point blank words written in black and white, as tho, its a given? Just because Mr Kennedy states “the ongoing threats and intimidation being used by the extreme political activists against local contractors “, it does not equate to what Mr Bashforth said. There may have been a loud voice from an Indigenous person who feels strongly to express frustration about the continual encroachment of built up areas along the sensitive coastal heathland and does not have much chance to be heard in life, but there would have been no threats to person or machines. All present are trained in Non Violent Direct Action, are peaceful, and do not shout or abuse. There is a common agreement that more can be achieved by peaceful presence, than confrontation.
Twice now that you have tried to make it ” singular”
A very busy person , I assume?
Numerous counts of vandalism, rudeness to neighbours and bullying of anyone involved (in a legal endeavour that puts food on the tables of their families) … and then even sharing people’s personal details and encouraging others to also engage in intimidation measures is completely unacceptable. Now money will go to a business out of town and the net result will be the same. many locals want this project to go ahead. we desperately need new homes.
I am a Bayside resident and live directly near the camp and haven’t seen any Wallum protestors acting like this at all
This is really unfortunate and I think something locals associated with Save Wallum will look back on with regret in future. While Save Wallum will distance themselves from the threatening behaviour, they are 100% in control of the misinformation they spread to gain this support.
Bashy’s built the previous stage of this development a few years back and now some out of towner is going to come in and take 5+ years of work off their front porch.
You are welcome to view all scientific information about the intact ecosystem, by experts, on Save Wallum sites, to correct your view that “the misinformation they spread to gain this support”… where ever you got that idea from.
Save wallum has stolen material from the Wallum website and relabelled those images with misleading and incorrect captions. Sadly there is plenty of misinformation being shared and lots of well-meaning people (including many locals I know, who didn’t realise they were being lied to) have jumped on the SW bandwagon based on that misinformation – it’s not their fault for believing lies but those lies should be called out as John has.
You are aware that the site was cleared around 20 years ago right? And that it is mostly covered in weeds! But what would I know, with only 30 plus years of bush regeneration, and living in forest blockade camps for years. They are destroying the old growth around Coffs at an alarmingly accelerated rate. If you want to do something then get down there and protect big trees, not a bunch of weeds. What I dislike more than environmental destruction are liars who mislead others to serve their own agendas, especially the virtue signallers.
Bashies had $30,000 of damage to their machines when they did the last part of the subdivision. They cut all the hydraulic hoses.
Hasn’t Clarence property destroyed enough coastal land to make squillions? How much money do you need ? Their developments are poor quality anyway, with minimal block sizes, poor road widths only one lane wide and tiny open spaces to maximise profit and shirking of developer contributions. They have ravaged everywhere besides their namesake. The only thing ecological they do is land clearing.
Time they went to the wall.
And stuff their pitiful return on money invested.
Great article. Love the amplification of the ridiculous statements by Clarence Property CEO Simon Kennedy.
For “extreme political activist” read “community members who care about the environment, local Indigenous elders who have a connection to the area, ecologists, scientists, neighbours, and those in the greater community who care about endangered species on the site.”
For “what will be an incredible, ecologically sensitive development” read for what will give our shareholders a truck load of money but let’s say it’s an incredible, ecologically sensitive development even though we’re going to bulldoze the lot.
Interesting ecological sensitive development hmm if it’s ecologically sensitive why would you build on it ? Beggars belief.
Think!
The Save Wallum gang likes to spread the out of town self interest tale. All the families who have purchased are locals.
There will be any number of non-local contractors will to step up. Hopefully they will bring with them suitably trained “security” personnel that know how to converse with the unwashed
And the coppers charged $500 pH per copper to hire them..u believable
I love how many of us locals support the development and were involved in giving our feedback in the community consultation prior to the DA was given, yet a bunch of professional protestors can come in from other states/cities to complain about an “outside developer” … who is actually a northern rivers-based local developer … the hypocrisy is rife.
“abuse to our staff, and our family members…. vandalism to our yard, and machines”
As usual, the “protectors” show themselves as “the abusers” “the intimidators” and “the vandalisers”.
Of course old mate James Barrie doesn’t condemn such actions.
Protect trees and animals, but abuse, threaten, intimidate, and coerce humans.
No respect for others.
I’ve been in someway involved in to many actions and unfortunately there is usually always just the one or two individuals out of hundreds of good clean honest hard working people that go off the board and become disrespectful and destructive in their protests. To my experience these people are highly reprimanded by the leaders and majority of rightful protesters. These people are usually asked to leave if they are found out. This behaviour runs across the board in civilisation on most issues. The protesters in general should not be blamed or belittled in media or anywhere for the odd antisocial . Protest is is very important base element of a democracy. Thankyou .