Media Release
Save Wallum Blockade Paused
The Campaign to Protect Wallum Continues
After nine months of a determined 24/7 vigil to Save Wallum, the community has packed down its blockade camp at the Omega Circuit site in Bayside Estate.
This strategic move allows focus on the critical next steps in the fight to permanently protect this ecologically sensitive area, including raising essential funds to cover court and legal costs.
The Save Wallum court case in its fifth day in the Federal Court of Australia with dedicated Save Wallum supporters gathering outside the court as the hearing proceeded.
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Latest Update
March 2025
This is a pivotal moment in the fight to protect Wallum! We’re making headlines, we’re making history, and we need you to stand with us as we stand for our community.
President of Save Wallum Inc. Luciana Bowen emphasised the broader implications of the legal challenge saying, ‘this is a case that is testing the effectiveness and operation of Australia’s national environmental laws. Wallum is a place of immense environmental significance, and the development proposed will have an unacceptable impact on its biodiversity'.
Ms Bowen stressed that Wallum contains Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) which are protected under Australian law.
‘The outcome of this case will have implications for communities across Australia that are on the frontlines of the extinction crisis and are looking to protect places of high biodiversity value in their local environment. At its heart, this is a case about community fighting for environmental justice,’ said Ms Bowen.
Source: The Byron Echo 27th February 2025
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MARCH RAFFLE
Win a Save Wallum T shirt - signed by Bob Brown
We are raffling 2 x Save Wallum Hemp T shirts personally signed by the legandary environmentalist Dr Bob Brown and a stunning Save Wallum Scribbly Print by local Photographer Mark Seiffert.
1st prize - Unisex Hemp T shirt size large
2nd prize - Unisex Hemp T shirt size large
3rd prize - Framed photo of the Brunswick Heads Wallum by aclaimed photographer Mark Seiffert
Raffle - tickets $5 each or 5 for $20
Weekly Schedule
March 2025
Save Wallum Stall at Monthly Markets
More detail on the Events page
New Brighton Farmers Market - Tuesday
Mullumbimby Farmers Market - Friday
Brunswick Heads Market - 1st Sat of month
About Save Wallum
We are a community of passionate individuals looking to protect the ecology of Wallum Brunswick Heads. Join us in our fight to preserve the natural beauty of Wallum for future generations.
'Save Wallum' is an upsurgence of community members who have come together to protect this sacred place. With over 6000 Facebook members, we oppose the approval of Clarence Property’s Luxury Housing Coastal Subdivision, located at 15 Torakina Rd, Brunswick Heads (DA 10.2021.575.1)
Titled 'Wallum', after the ecology it will destroy, the Development will be comprised of:
• 124 Residential Lots
• 3 Medium Density Lots
• Plus a series of roads and supporting infrastructure & 3 reserves.
Byron Shire Council’s Geographical Information System (GIS) maps note the development sits on bushfire-prone and flood liable land, with acid sulphate soils that generate large amounts of sulphuric acid when disturbed, rapidly degrading infrastructure - including concrete. The entire site is mapped as HEV - High Ecological Value, and is a wildlife corridor, in the Coastal Zone.
What is a
Zombie DA?
The Development Application (DA) for this Subdivision is what is known as a “Zombie DA” - a recognised term used to describe development applications that were historically approved, under old planning regulations that do not uphold the same standards of ecological and cultural heritage assessments demanded by current legislation - which is now informed by natural disasters and the Extinction Crisis.
These applications can lie dormant for decades until developers such as Clarence Property bring them to life. Zombie DA’s are a persisting state-wide issue, which will be highlighted in the upcoming State Enquiry into the NSW Planning System.
As a group, we are seeking Federal intervention, by Minister Plibersek, to refer this development for assessment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act (1999). If it is deemed a ‘Controlled Action’, development will cease until a federal assessment is done for the Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), which includes impacts on any EPBC listed Threatened Species - there are at least 9 of these on the Wallum site.
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Photography by: Beverley Callow, James Barrie, Locky Cooper, Mac Maderski, Mala Norris, Mark Seiffert, Nola Mancy, Sam Brown
All images © the photographer
