The tractors and slashers were already onsite at the Wallum site at Brunswick Heads and today has seen trucks bringing in bulldozers as locals started to block the road to stop them entering the site.
One local resident has placed their car in the road on was blocking Omega Circuit in an attempt to stop the trucks bringing bullldozers onsite of the controversial housing development. They were in the car locked on.
Another resident also placed a vehicle on the road to deter the placement of bulldozers on the site.
Both were arrested and taken to the Byron Bay police station.
However, with a large police presence on the site they have now been cut off by search and rescue and it is understood that some trucks have made it through the blockade that some Wallum defenders have been trying to create. It is understood that More community members are arriving to take action to protect the site.
Police arrested one First Nations protester at the site.
It is understood that they took her to the Brunswick Heads police station but she was immediately released.
Court ruling
According to a Save Wallum spokesperson, Clarence Property, who own the Wallum site, can begin clearing the site from 5pm today after the court ruled against a temporary injunction on the works sought by opponents of the development. The Federal Court today ruled the developer could go ahead with grass slashing and earthworks on the site to start the fog ponds.
‘On Wednesday 16 September, the Federal Court dismissed Save Wallum Inc.’s application to extend the interim injunction preventing development works at Wallum while the organisation pursues an appeal,’ said a Save Wallum spokesperson told The Echo.
‘Today’s decision concerned Save Wallum Inc.’s application to restrain the developer from commencing works associated with the artificial frog ponds approved under Stage One.
‘The decision means Clarence Property may undertake limited works within the development footprint, subject to undertakings it has given to the Court.
‘These undertakings include:
- confining slashing to the designated green area within the development footprint, as shown in Figure 2 attached; monitoring and maintaining the artificial frog ponds under the
- supervision of a qualified ecologist and in accordance with the Wallum Froglet management plans approved as part of the Stage One Construction Certificate; and
- reinstating the area where the artificial frog ponds are located, as shown in Figure 1 attached, if Save Wallum Inc.’s appeal succeeds and federal environmental approval is not subsequently obtained for those works.
Appeal to be lodged
Save Wallum Inc. says it still plans to lodge an appeal against a judgement last week that allows the 124-lot housing development to proceed.
‘Importantly, today’s decision does not determine or prevent Save Wallum Inc.’s appeal. The appeal against last week’s Federal Court judgment remains unaffected and is due to be lodged by 5 October.
‘Save Wallum Inc. understands that this decision is disappointing for the community. However, the organisation will continue with lodging an appeal against the final judgment handed down last week. Save Wallum Inc. asks the community to respect the Court process and remain peaceful and lawful in its conduct.
‘The next stage will require significant legal resources. Every donation helps Save Wallum Inc. continue pursuing the available legal avenues and advocating for the protection of this irreplaceable habitat.’
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