Wallum Brunswick Heads: Save Wallum protesters distance themselves from shock vandalism and abuse claims

A “nonviolent” campaign to save an ecologically sensitive Byron Shire development site has been marred by claims of vandalism and abuse – but protesters say they “can’t control outliers”.

A “nonviolent” campaign to save an ecologically sensitive Byron Shire development site has taken another dark turn, with claims of vandalism and abuse aired.

But the group at the centre of the allegations, Save Wallum, has distanced itself from the drama and said members could not control “outliers”.

As protests rage on at the Wallum Brunswick Heads site, local real estate agent Todd Buckland has been cleaning “Save Wallum” graffiti off his office walls.

It is not suggested the protest group were responsible for the vandalism. No charges have been laid and no members of the group or its leaders have been accused of wrongdoing.

Save Wallum protests reached fever pitch last month. Picture: Save Wallum group

Meanwhile, Bullseye Security Owner-Director Andrew Woodburn, who has the contract for the Wallum site, said it came as no surprise last week when civil contractor J&M Bashforth & Sons withdrew from their contract, claiming his staff had been subjected to abuse.

The allegations come as increasingly antagonistic protest messages have been aired on the Save Wallum Facebook page, which has more than 7000 members.

Graffiti on the walls of Byron Shire Real Estate offices at Brunswick Heads. Picture: Supplied.

On Thursday, one member wrote: “Fight for what you want. Don’t be a pussy and lie down.”

“Don’t just give in, capitulate. Stand up and resist before it’s too late.

“Gird your loins and mobilise. Demonstrate firmness in your eyes. You come from a long line of warriors. When it comes to heart you’re not a borrower. Fight for what you want.”

Another member shared protest tips with an instructional guide on “concealing your identity and avoiding surveillance”. One guide shared was called ‘the femme’s guide to riot fashion’.

Mr Buckland's Byron Shire Real Estate agency has been engaged by northern NSW-based developer Clarence Property to market Wallum Brunswick Heads, which has approval for 123 housing lots in the final stage of the Bayside Brunswick estate.

Early ecological works were approved in February by Byron Shire Council, which caused chaos to erupt onsite in April when protesters chained themselves to machinery and NSW riot police were called in. Police have not advised of charges, however, 18 people were arrested. 

Save Wallum declared the use of police resources and fire services to cut people from machinery was “a huge win”.

Byron Shire Real Estate, Brunswick Heads principal agent Todd Buckland. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Buckland, an agent in the area for over two decades, said the graffiti on his shopfront was a “shameful” low blow.

“It’s shameful that people have stooped to such low levels in what has always been a tight-knit community where people look out for one another,” he said.

Mr Buckland said “activists, many of whom are not from Brunswick Heads” were “tearing apart our friendly neighbourhood, targeting local businesses and residents” with a “campaign” of “vandalism” and “abuse”.

He said they were “harassing” contractors and businesses who had anything to do with the Wallum site.

Save Wallum protesters. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

Mr Buckland said “things keep getting worse” for Bayside residents.

“They’ve now set up a checkpoint morning and night that people need to pass to get to and from their homes. They are being watched and radioed. It’s militant stuff,” he said.

Civil contractor J&M Bashforth & Sons announced Friday it made the “difficult decision” to withdraw from works at the Wallum Estate in Brunswick Heads due to alleged abuse from some people aligning themselves with the “nonviolent” protest group – but overall engagement with protesters was mostly “respectful”.

“During recent interactions on-site with the Save Wallum group there have been respectful and constructive conversations had,” the company wrote in a statement.

“Sadly, there has been some not-so respectful … interactions as well.

“The stress of worrying about abuse to our staff, and our family members, brand damage, and vandalism to our yard and machines has ultimately led to the decision of withdrawing from the project.”

Mr Woodburn, of Bullseye Security, claimed protesters told him they would “destroy” his business.

“These so-called ‘environmental protesters’ have said ‘we know who you do security work for and we’re going to destroy those contracts,” he said.

“I’m waiting for the day I lose six contracts, because that’s the extent they’ll go to in an attempt to make me pull out.”

Clarence Property CEO Simon Kennedy said despite the hurdles faced, he was eager to progress on early site works.

“While we’d love to progress the early ecological works, including the creation of nesting boxes and frog ponds, the safety of our staff and contractors remains paramount,” he said.

Last month, a number of residents in Bayside Brunswick said they were too afraid to go outside, and "30 free-camping strangers” had taken over their “once-peaceful” neighbourhood.

A Save Wallum banner. Picture: Facebook.

Save Wallum spokesperson Svea Pitman told NewsLocal the group had made “every attempt to distance itself from violent or threatening behaviour”.

“We are doing our utmost to preserve the notion that we want nonviolent and peaceful protest, but can’t control everyone including the outliers,” she said.

Ms Pitman said close to 400 people had attended biweekly nonviolent direct action training sessions, held every Tuesday and Sunday.

“We do not condone threatening behaviour that targets individuals or their businesses and we consider any vandalism or graffiti completely inappropriate,” she said.

Ms Pitman said group organisers continued to be in regular contact with police and council in relation to any protest action, and general activities onsite.

Boiling point at the Wallum development site, Brunswick Heads. Picture: Save Wallum/Facebook

Byron Shire councillor Sarah Ndiaye, a vocal supporter of the Save Wallum campaign, said she did not condone anti-social behaviour.

“The great tragedy of this whole thing (the development) is that everything that has happened is the result of not having proper community consultation,” she said.

“There have been impacts to locals, police, the developers and the companies engaged to work on the project.”

Ms Ndiaye did not vote for approvals in February, and said the development “does not meet community standards”.

“I am all for housing, I’ve put my neck out time and time again for housing, but this (Wallum) isn’t it. I’m completely at odds with my peers on this development.”

Clarence Property is in discussions to engage a new civil contractor following the departure of J&M Bashforth & Sons.

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