On Friday residents of Prince Street were shocked to see tall wire fences being erected around the land between the Mullumbimby Community Shedding Workshop and the Mullumbimby Railway Station.
The site had been occupied by a number of locals and travellers over the last four years with a mixture of vehicles on the site who had been given 48 hours to move on, they told The Echo.
‘We had struck up a friendship with Eli, one of the van people who kept people on the site organised,’ said Jenny Caffin and Kevin Forge who moved to Prince Street last year.
‘They were never a problem, they kept the site mowed and whipper-snipped etc. and they were happy to lend a hand if we needed one.’
A Transport for NSW Spokesperson told The Echo that, ‘the decision to fence the Mullumbimby Railway Station site was made in response to several complaints regarding illegal campers on site.’
‘Concerns included the absence of appropriate sanitation facilities and noise complaints associated with an area that is not zoned or approved for residential use.’
While some residents said they felt safe with the people on the the site others didn’t feel quite so comfortable.
‘I think it reflects a bigger problem in relation to the housing crisis. Where do people live who can’t afford a home?,’ said one local.
‘Camp grounds are expensive with a powered site at the Mullum Showground costing $280 per week [for two people with a maximum stay of 28 days in six months] and that’s the cheapest one in town.’
No info for residents
Regardless of how safe residents felt, they all agreed that there had been no contact from the State Rail Authority or UGL who manage the site on their behalf in relation to the fencing of the site.
‘They couldn’t even be bothered to let us know that they were taking this action,’ said Mr Forge, a sentiment echoed by other residents.
‘For us there was no notice, or contact from state rail on their intentions for the site and how this would change the lovely view we had from our home of lovely people and green spaces to high fences,’ said Ms Caffin.
Community space
Many residents The Echo spoke to said rather than imposing fences they would like to see this space used for the community, from a place to kick a footy or throw a frisbee and other outside activities, to a place where people can relax and enjoy a lovely green space in town.
‘Why don’t we turn it into a beautiful community garden. A big pipe on the corner from Prince and Anne Streets was really poorly done and the drains are blocked so that the water pools on that site. Why not let someone like Mullum Seed just plant it out? If they put some tea trees on that site, some natural melaleuca, that would help solve the drainage problem. Add a few pathways and many of the kids and elderly people in the area could have a play, or get there on their mobility scooters, or parents with their prams, and enjoy the space. Even if it’s not the final outcome it is such a shame to see it just fenced off and the community banned from access to public land.’
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