Protestors fighting Wallum housing development arrested in Brunswick Heads as machinery moves on site

Protesters were arrested at the site of a housing development at Brunswick Heads.  (ABC News)

Police have arrested a number of protesters fighting to block a housing development at Brunswick Heads in northern New South Wales.

Around 200 people gathered at the Wallum development site in a bid to prevent machinery accessing the land in preparation for site works.

Several protesters locked themselves to mesh fencing surrounding the property and later to an excavator.

The site is bound by a tract of coastal heathland that is home to vulnerable and endangered species including the glossy black cockatoo, koalas and the Wallum sedge frog.

Protesters have labelled the project a “zombie” development, saying it would not meet current environmental standards if approved today.

The Wallum development has been on the drawing board since 2013, when the site’s previous owner lodged concept plans with planning authorities.

Clarence Property bought the site in 2021, and a public exhibition period for the current proposal was held that same year and approved by the state government’s Northern Regional Planning Panel.

Protesters claim the process escaped broader scrutiny as it happened during the height of the COVID pandemic.

Protester Natalie Wilkinson said despite being arrested and charged with obstructing traffic, she would continue her action.

“I want this place saved,” she said.

Development ready

Clarence Property Group has approval to build 124 houses over 18-hectares at the site.

The company recently stated it would consider a proposal from Byron Shire Council to reduce the overall housing footprint by increasing the number of medium density dwellings.

Clarence Property Group chief executive Simon Kennedy said any changes would be costly.

“Any change needs real consideration, it isn’t an easy thing but it’s definitely something we want to continue to look at and work with the mayor on,” Mr Kennedy said.

Planning policy concerns

Greens MP Sue Higginson said the protest action was the result of political and legal failure.

Ms Higginson said shereceived a letter from NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully this week in which he declined to refer the development to his federal counterpart for further consideration.

“Imagine being the only person in the state with the unique power to prevent this failure and not exercising that power,” Ms Higginson said.

“I think right now, this is on him.”

Police declined to make a statement about the protest action.