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.
Federal Court Update
Save Wallum Inc. is currently in the midst of a significant Federal Court trial, which began in late February in Sydney and is set to continue through April and May. The remaining hearing dates are scheduled from 28 April to 2 May 2025 (inclusive), with closing submissions set for 26 and 27 May 2025.
The hearing is being live streamed via the Federal Court of Australia’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalCourtAus) and members of the public in Sydney are welcome to attend in person at the Federal Court of Australia on Phillip Street.
Help us to pay the legal costs
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whether you live locally or anywhere in the world.
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April 2025
What's On
BluesFest from Thursday 17th April
Save Wallum has a market stall at Byron Bay BlueFest starting Easter Thursday through until Sunday evening.
We have a big range of up-cycled screen printed Save Wallum items including dresses, mens shirts and tea towels (please note no Save Wallum t-shirts will be for sale at this market).
Love The Planet
10am - 9pm Saturday 26th April
Mullum Civic Hall
The festival line up for Love The planet is looking epic! Join us in thought-provoking discussion, and joyful action at Mullumbimby Civic Hall.
A range of tickets available here.
Weekly Schedule
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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Take a look to see all the beauty of Wallum
Meet some of the local residents
Supporters
Photography by: Beverley Callow, James Barrie, Locky Cooper, Mac Maderski, Mala Norris, Mark Seiffert, Nola Mancy, Sam Brown
All images © the photographer
