Story by Mattea McKinnon
Photos: Portraits by Mattea McKinnon, wildlife by Mac Maderski and flowers by Nola Mancy

It’s a narrative that has become all too familiar in recent times: a cherished natural area, rich in biodiversity and beauty, is threatened by looming development. In this small corner of Brunswick Heads, a dedicated group of volunteers have refused to let the land’s story end this way. Their mission is simple but urgent - to save what remains before it’s too late.

Wallum, situated in Brunswick Heads, is a part of the mere 1% of remaining heathland in Byron Shire and is a place of profound cultural and ecological significance.

Due to its specialised ecology, it is host to a number of threatened species and fauna - koalas, wallum sedge frogs, glossy black cockatoos, eastern grass owls, grey-headed flying foxes, white-bellied sea eagles and collard kingfishers, to name just a few.

The development plans to destroy 76 old-growth Scribbly Gums, some up to 400 years old, which provide critical habitat for wildlife. Also at risk are 27 Swamp Mahogany trees, crucial for koala nutrition, and 38 She-Oaks, a vital food source for the glossy black cockatoo.

Save Wallum

The volunteers involved in the Save Wallum initiative came together in diverse and creative ways to protect the land. Some camping out on the site and sleeping in trees, maintaining a constant presence to deter construction. Others have organised fundraisers and community events to raise awareness.

Wildlife photographer Mac has captured stunning photographs of the Wallum wildlife and has been selling his prints to raise funds for the cause.

“The diversity of this place is just incredible. The amount of birds I saw here on my first day just blew my mind. I filmed eigh glossy black cockatoos sitting in just one tree. There’s 230 different species of native vegetation that have been declared as degraded paddock by the developer. This has been documented by professionals, it’s actually in the report.”

Wallum’s sandy soil, rich with wildflowers, lies atop thousands of years of plant matter and bushfire ash, forming coffee rock - a unique substrate that supports the delicate wildflower heathland ecology.

The development threatens to devastate this unique habitat, replacing mature trees crucial for koalas with saplings that could take decades to provide sufficient shelter and food. The plan also ignores climate-related impacts, which are critical for the survival of certain species, who are already endangered due to bushfires and habitat loss.

Amanda and Mercury_McKinnonPhotography.jpg

Portraits by Mattea McKinnon: Ariel, Zak, Jayde, Kirsten, Luciana, Mac, Tegan, Amanda and Mercury, Sabrina (L-R)

Lisa said:

“I’ve been in Brunswick for about 11 years. I used to walk twice a day through Wallum - every morning and every sunset before all the fences went up. For the last few years when I knew it was getting closer to development. It’s just this incredibly beautiful land that changes with the seasons. Every flower that I’ve encountered there I’ve never seen anywhere else. I’ve seen wallabies and koalas here. There are trees that are pre-colonial that should be saved. I walked through with Aunty Robin who is a Bundjalung elder who passed away recently. I spent a lot of time with her showing me different medicine flowers and birds. It’s culturally a really significant place. I’ve seen spots in there that have got middins, so clearly it was a meeting place for local mobs. It’s a wetland for a lot of the year. It’s an incredibly beautiful piece of land and there is nothing like it in the Shire that I know of.”

Jade said:

“It’s just divine: the trees, the land - even the community that it’s built. There is so much Indigenous culture. Aunties and uncles come here, sharing their knowledge. It's a place to learn from the land, experience the beauty and appreciate its biodiversity. There is nothing else like it.”

The developers, named Clarence Property, plan to replace Wallum’s vital acid frog habitat with artificial breeding ponds. This would threaten the already vulnerable Wallum Sedge Frog and Wallum Froglet, both of which rely on the unique, acidic environment of Wallum, and face further risks from habitat destruction and pollution.

In July 2024, a Federal Court injunction was issued to halt all further work by developer Clarence Property and its contractors until further court proceedings.

Luciana, who is the legal representative for Save Walllum said:

“At the moment, a temporary injunction is stopping the development work and it's a seven stage development. Our application for a permanent injunction is in October. This interim injunction is stopping the first stage but we still have a long way to go and still need all the support we can get.”

Amanda adds:

“It’s been messy, challenging and complicated but I love how as a group we’ve been committed to the cultural stories of this land and to try and bring out the best in everyone. The land has taught us so much. This year has been a huge year of learning.”

The community's relentless efforts have played a crucial role in achieving this temporary victory, highlighting how their commitment has been pivotal in protecting this land.

Whilst the future of Wallum still remains uncertain, it is a positive step in the right direction and a powerful testament to the influence of grassroots activism and community involvement. A vivid reminder that when people unite with unwavering resolve, they can harness a force capable of preserving our most cherished places.

Tegan, one of the Founders of the movement says:

“It's hard to articulate the layers of meaning this place has to me. There is so much that nature can teach us if we really listen. With so many environmental issues on this planet, we can become overwhelmed, which often leads to paralysis and disempowerment. I hope this movement inspires people to take action with whatever is going on in their immediate area, or beyond. We can do something about it.”

It’s the quiet alchemy of connection, where voices blend into a chorus that can amplify a call for change.

In community, we find not just allies but mirrors reflecting our potential, pushing us beyond what we thought possible. It is the heartbeat of collective hope and the force that turns possibility into reality.

Though the future of Wallum is uncertain, this group of individuals’ dedication shines as a beacon of hope. Their efforts - rooted in unity, passion and love for the land, have already begun to shape its story which we can only hope will have a positive ending. To save Wallum.