Wallum latest: Bayside Brunswick residents scared to go outside as Save Wallum protesters allegedly ‘take over’ community
Residents of a North Coast community who moved for peace and serenity say they face “intimidating” free-camping protesters, who’ve “taken over” the neighbourhood in a bid to stop a development which has already been approved.
NSW
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Residents of Bayside Brunswick moved to the community on the state’s North Coast for the peace and serenity.
Instead – they now face “empty playgrounds, eerie streets” and what they say is intimidating behaviour from up to “30 free-camping strangers” protesting the neighbouring Wallum development site.
Bayside residents – many of whom are afraid to speak out due to the possibility of reprisal from the Save Wallum group – have had enough.
But Save Wallum has shut down the residents’ claims, saying they come “from a very small minority”.
It comes as the allegedly “nonviolent” group have well and truly made themselves at home, setting up camp at the end of Torakina Rd, residents claim.
In photos provided to NewsLocal, the Save Wallum group’s camp consists of crude makeshift tents and treesits, with plastic chairs situated around a campfire – at the tail-end of bushfire season nonetheless.
On Wednesday, protesters with Save Wallum signage stormed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his visit to Bangalow in northern NSW.
The group released a statement, saying members “took the opportunity to make themselves known” to Mr Albanese.
“To date, Environment Minister Plibersek has refused to refer the matter and so Save Wallum protectors are now calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for support,” the statement read.
Last month, the same group “peacefully” brought slashing machinery to a halt on the site in what was described by spokesperson Valerie Thompson as “another nonviolent direct action” to save the claimed biodiverse site – home to threatened species.
In February, Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon gave the green light for Clarence Property to clear approximately 40 per cent of the total site for residential development.
He was backed by three other councillors in the vote.
Of the 30 hectare site, 18 hectares will be exclusively dedicated as conservation area, while the remaining 12 hectares is the residential development footprint.
Approval for the development was given in May of 2023 by the Northern Regional Planning Panel.
Bayside residents say the protesters have been free camping at the end of Torakina Rd since they set up a blockade to delay construction works on the new community in February.
Resident and local business owner Michaela Stirton said she wanted to speak out “because the general public don’t understand what’s really going on here”.
“I’ve been telling my clients about their (the protesters) behaviour and they are genuinely shocked because they have been led to believe this is a very respectful campaign.
“The reality is, we have had strangers free camping in our community for months, setting up as if it’s their permanent home, destroying and disrespecting the very area they are claiming to protect – and intimidating the people who live beside it.”
Ms Stirton said protesters had created blockades, erected a gazebo in the playground and parked their vehicles in the estate’s only carpark.
“The streets are empty – people don’t want to be out and about,” she said.
“We are a friendly, residential suburb who doesn’t want free campers living here. They are being a nuisance and bringing a toxic, negative energy to Bayside.”
Another Bayside resident, Russell Eldridge, was one of the original objectors to the project three years ago and is concerned with what he says is a lack of respect for residents.
“The protesters set up camp without any consultation or thought about what impact it might have on nearby residents,” he said.
Mr Eldridge is a member of the Bayside Residents Association, which opened a line of
communication with Save Wallum to deal calmly with any issues that might arise between protesters and frustrated residents.
He said the protocol worked well until several complaints were made by residents.
“People said they felt invaded and insecure in their homes because of the continued presence of strangers nearby; choked roads; being stared at whenever they drove past; protesters grabbing walkie talkies when anything resembling a construction vehicle entered the suburb.”
Mr Eldridge said many local residents were reluctant to talk.
“It’s hard to get people to speak publicly,” he said.
“I was trolled on social media after a recent radio interview when I spoke about these concerns, the lack of respect and the history of the land and so on.”
As a result of these complaints, both the Byron Shire Mayor and the Residents Association then asked Save Wallum to relocate the central site that was causing anxiety to residents. They were rebuffed.
Mr Eldridge said some residents were annoyed over the fact they had voluntarily cleaned up and cared for the Wallum area for decades, long before the development proposal.
“It had been littered with old car bodies, dumped household goods and the rubbish of free campers,” Mr Eldridge said.
“Locals who grew up here know that the area to be built on has been cleared for about 70 years, and has been used for grazing, trail bike riding and a dumping ground. Some of us have spent a lot of time and energy in recent years dealing with and sometimes arguing with the developer over their plans.
“As a result of that community involvement, significant changes were made to reduce the footprint, protect vulnerable species and remove forest from development.
“And then along comes Save Wallum, who claim to have recently discovered a sneaky development on a pristine environment.
“I share many of their concerns, but some of their commentary has been misleading – and
undermines their credibility.”
Save Wallum spokesperson Svea Pitman argued resident claims came from a “minority”.
“There is just over 400 residents in Bayside and 360 of them are on the Save Wallum list (Facebook group), which has over 6,000 members,” she said.
“We’ve been fully engaged with the (Bayside) community for six months – it’s a select few who are stirring up trouble for us.”
Ms Pitman said claims a gazebo had been erected in the playground were “inaccurate” and that parking issues had been “problem-solved” with residents.
“Anyone camping here is doing so in a caravan, not in the bush,” she said.
“We have a community liaison officer who is actually a resident of Bayside, most of the locals here are on our side. They’ve gone above and beyond to show us their support.”
Cr Lyon said some unidentified people had taken their protests too far.
Clarence Property (CP) CEO Simon Kennedy told NewsLocal last month the company would not condone any “threatening” and “violent” behaviour toward staff, contractors and the general public.
“We are working with police to ensure a safe environment for our contractors and staff as well as the neighbouring Bayside community.”
Mr Kennedy said CP had received correspondence from the local community expressing concerns for their own safety, which had also been referred to the police.
“The political activists are illegally occupying the premises and are using intimidatory behaviours to prevent our contractors and staff from working safely on the site.”
Got a story tip? Email sam.stolz@news.com.au
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Originally published as Wallum latest: Bayside Brunswick residents scared to go outside as Save Wallum protesters allegedly ‘take over’ community
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