Around eight people have been arrested so far, since almost fifty police arrived at the Wallum development in Brunswick Heads this morning to escort machinery and other work vehicles on to the site. Police included local officers, members of the NSW Public Order and Riot Squad, and Police Rescue.
A growing crowd of protesters have been doing their best to delay them, with additional protesters known as ‘possums’ on site in the trees.
Concrete barricades have already been pushed aside by the machinery, which is being operated by contractor J & M Bashforth.
Protester arrests
The police are reportedly calling this Operation Utah. The Echo spoke with Save Wallum’s James Barrie as the situation developed.
Mr Barrie said he was unsure what works were planned for the day, but with early stage 1 approval in place for the development, he said the 20 tonne excavator was trying to get into the site, with 80-90 people directly in front of the machine.
‘It’s slowly being inched forward by the cops, with assistance from security.’
Mr Barrie said he expected more protesters to be arrested today.
‘I’m trying to advocate and provide an interface here. There’s a proposal that the footprint of this be changed, by the mayor and by Save Wallum, with the developers in conversation around that.’
Possum speaks
Possum ‘Sam’ managed to evade the police and security and get into a tree on site before anyone could stop him.
When The Echo spoke to him he had been in the tree for 30 minutes, and planned to stay there ‘until they get me down or I fall out!’
Sam explained, ‘I’m up here today because they’re trying to ruin this beautiful land that’s left. There’s not even 2 per cent left of all natural reserves here in Brunswick Heads. It’s just a shame that in the name of progress and blind ambition, they want to tear down these beautiful scribbly gums and this history that’s here, and ruin the beautiful land we’re on.
‘I fully stand against that. Anyway I can, I’ll try and stop them.’
Sam said he was fully prepared to be arrested. ‘ I believe in what I’m doing just as much as they do,’ he said.
The possum said he wanted to pass on his love and support for everyone on the ground, ‘and keep as safe as possible while being arrested or standing in the way of these machines. Look after one another,’ he said.
Just after 10am the police and security were able to clear the path enough for the J & M Bashforth vehicles to enter the site.
There are currently protesters locked on to an excavator and a backhoe at the site.
Photos Tree Faerie
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