Popular musician Xavier Rudd has publicly backed the Save Wallum campaign against a controversial housing estate at Brunswick Heads in the Byron Shire.
The artist has added his name to an expanding list of supporters that already includes fellow musician Mitch Galbraith of Ocean Alley fame.
Mr Rudd, a former Byron Shire resident, appeared quite at home visiting the Save Wallum protest camp on Friday afternoon, campaigners on Monday said via media release.
Campaigners described the ‘proud environmental campaigner’ quietly visiting the Wallum Estate site shortly before he was due to perform at a sold out Byron Bay gig.
They said he spoke with protestors including Traditional Custodians before encouraging audience members at that night’s show to join the campaign, including via social media.
Protestors face court
Mr Rudd’s contribution to the protest against the approved plan for 123 dwellings on a 30-hectare site on ecologically sensitive land alongside Simpsons Creek in Bayside, Brunswick Heads, comes as several other protestors face court over their participation.
Protestors have been camping and protesting at the site since 8 February and last month were engaged in dramatic scenes when contractors arrived to start preliminary building works.
Hundreds of protestors rallied with around a hundred police and security guards also in attendance and multiple arrests made.
Ms Pittman said campaigners were gathered at Byron Bay Local Courthouse Monday morning for mention of the first seven related cases.
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