On Friday, Save Wallum Inc. will open its case against Clarence Property in the Federal Court of Australia, seeking a permanent injunction to the proposed development at Bayside Brunswick Heads, formerly called ‘Wallum’.
The case, brought by the community group in July 2024, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), focuses on the potential impacts to nationally protected threatened species.
Luciana Bowen, President of Save Wallum Inc., said, ‘The proposed development would see over 100 houses built in rare coastal habitat for koalas, Wallum sedge frogs, the south-eastern glossy black cockatoo, the long-nosed potoroo, and the critically endangered Mitchell’s rainforest snail. It is crucial that these species are given proper consideration for protection under our national environmental laws.
‘It is both an honour and an enormous responsibility to represent the community’s concerns about this development. We welcome the opportunity for this case to be heard before the Federal Court in Sydney and acknowledge the importance of this legal process.’
Broader significance
Ms Bowen said, ‘This case brings attention to the impact of developments on unique and special ecological areas, particularly those prone to fire and flooding.
‘The loss of habitat, including old-growth scribbly gums, would have lasting consequences for wildlife already under pressure from urban development and climate change.’
The trial will commence on Friday 21 February with opening submissions and expert hydrology evidence, which will continue on Monday 24 February, along with expert ecological evidence pertaining to the Wallum Sedge Frog (WSF).
Tuesday 25 February is scheduled for evidence relating to the WSF and Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail (MRS), Wednesday 26 will be MRS and koala expert evidence, continuing into Thursday 27, along with the long nosed potoroo and south eastern glossy black cockatoo.
The session is set to conclude on Friday 28 February. Further evidence and closing oral submissions are currently set for 28 April to 2 May 2025.
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