Wallum Brunswick Heads latest: Police make arrest as developer Clarence Property bolsters security

The developers of an ecologically sensitive housing site in the Byron Shire have gone to new lengths to beef-up security as another protester has been taken into custody.

Protest activity onsite at Brunswick Heads on Wednesday. Picture: Save Wallum

The developers of an ecologically sensitive housing site at Brunswick Heads have gone to new lengths to beef-up security as another protester has been taken into police custody.

Clarence Property, which is developing the already-approved Wallum site in the Byron Shire, has been met with consistent protest action from the Save Wallum group since the project was given the green light by the Northern Regional Planning Panel in May last year.

Additional approvals were given by Byron Shire Council to clear about 40 per cent of the site in February this year.

After a particularly heated protest earlier this year – involving riot police and emergency services being called in to remove people who had attached themselves to machinery – NSW Police were onsite again Wednesday.

Police and security at the scene on Wednesday. Picture: Save Wallum

Tweed-Byron Police officers and rescue personnel were called to the site early in the morning following reports more than 40 protesters were onsite during the installation of more secure fencing.

About 8am, a 33-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Byron Bay Police Station, according to a NSW Police spokesperson.

She was charged with remaining on enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse and hindering or resististing police officer in the execution of duty.

She was granted conditional bail to face Byron Bay Local Court on July 27.

There were no reports of injuries on site.

Picture: Save Wallum

The Byron Shire Echo reported Wednesday morning that a protester had been cut from a van by police rescue.

Clarence Property CEO Simon Kennedy told this publication on Wednesday additional fencing had been installed at a cost of “thousands of additional dollars in materials and resources” as a measure to “proceed with the works required”.

Clarence Property CEO Simon Kennedy. Picture: CP website

He said the company was “committed to ensuring the safety of its employees, contractors and

members of the community while progressing its (ecologically sensitive) project”.

“This morning, Clarence Property moved to put in place additional security fencing at the Wallum site, which is located on private land, to ensure safe access for our team,” Mr Kennedy said.

“Our primary concern is to safeguard our employees, contractors and the community from any further disruptions caused by ongoing (protest) activity.

The group says its welcome tent was dismantled on Wednesday morning. Picture: Save Wallum

“Wallum Brunswick is a fully approved ecologically sensitive development which will provide much-needed housing to the local community while protecting and rehabilitating almost 18 hectares of flora and fauna habitat in perpetuity.

 “We are committed to maintaining the integrity and security of the site as we proceed with

development plans for this final stage of the Bayside Brunswick residential community.”

The Wallum development site at Brunswick Heads. Picture: Save Wallum

A member from the Save Wallum group took to Facebook to say as many as “50 security guards” were onsite Wednesday and police and security allegedly dismantled a “welcome tent”.

“Before dawn we had 50 security guards arrive at camp to install fencing. They haven’t let us know their plans but we believe more fencing will mean better access for machinery onsite. Our number one goal is to not let machinery onsite,” the protester said.