What is Wallum? Why Brunswick Heads Can’t Afford to Lose It
In the coastal town of Brunswick Heads lies a rare and irreplaceable ecosystem: Wallum. Often mistaken for unremarkable scrubland, Wallum is in fact a vibrant coastal heathland teeming with life—an ancient habitat found only in parts of eastern Australia. And now, it’s under threat.
What Exactly is Wallum?
Wallum is a type of low-lying coastal heath found on nutrient-poor sandy soils. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including:
Endangered frogs, like the Wallum Sedge Frog
Rare orchids and wildflowers, many of which bloom only under specific environmental conditions
Ground-dwelling birds and reptiles that rely on dense understory for shelter
Wallum ecosystems are adapted to fire, seasonal floods, and nutrient scarcity—making them incredibly resilient but also extremely sensitive to changes like land clearing or urban development.
Why Wallum Matters in Brunswick Heads
The Wallum at Brunswick Heads is one of the last intact examples of this ecosystem in the Byron Shire. Unlike fragmented patches found elsewhere, this area is still whole. It provides vital habitat corridors for wildlife and acts as a natural flood buffer.
Once cleared, this land will not regenerate. The complex web of species and environmental conditions that sustain Wallum cannot be rebuilt with landscaping or replanting. This is not just about plants and frogs—it’s about the integrity of an entire ecological system.
What’s Threatening Wallum?
The final stages of the Bayside Brunswick Heads development, led by Clarence Property, propose to subdivide and raise this land with fill to create residential housing lots. Even with claims of "conservation zones," the reality is that roads, housing, and infrastructure will forever alter the landscape.
Developments like these not only remove the habitat—they also fragment it, block animal movement, and introduce pollutants that Wallum species simply can’t survive.
Why Now is the Time to Act
There’s still time to stop this. Environmental laws and planning approvals are not set in stone. Community pressure, media attention, and scientific advocacy can change outcomes.
By raising awareness about what Wallum really is, we can inspire more people to speak out. We can protect this ecosystem for future generations—and preserve the natural beauty that makes Brunswick Heads so unique.
What You Can Do
Sign the petition to stop further development on Wallum land
Share this article with your network
Join this mailing list for updates
Attend a Save Wallum event
The fight for Brunswick Heads is more than a local issue. It’s part of a national movement to protect what little wild land we have left. And it starts with knowing what’s at stake.
Let’s keep Wallum wild.