The owner of three beachfront blocks of land at Callala Beach met with community protest on Saturday when residents found him clearing the bush.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The property was the subject of a Land and Environment Court case last year with the court rejecting a proposal to build on the land. The judge expressed concern at the ecological sensitivity of the Bangalay sand forest which made up the majority of the site.
Charlie Elachi from Hurstville bought the three blocks of waterfront land between Griffin Street at Benton Sands Estate and the beach, at auction in 2010 for a little over $6000 each.
Residents of Callala Beach phoned Shoalhaven City Councillor Amanda Findley on Saturday morning when they saw a bobcat machine on the site clearing land.
One resident was told by Mr Elachi he believed he was permitted to clear the boundary of his property, and had legal advice to that affect.
Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash and general manager Russ Pigg were also told of the clearing on Saturday and contacted a council ranger to attend the site.
Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash said there was no reason Mr Elachi should be clearing that land.
When councillor Amanda Findley arrived the ranger was at the site.
She stood in the front of a small bobcat stopping the operator from re-starting the machine.
She also had a chain and padlock and said if needed said she would have chained herself to a tree or the machine.
“I walked on to the property and yelled at them to stop,” Cr Findley said.
They were getting ready to cut down a large banksia tree.
“I told them they had a work health and safety issue with me on site and they had to stop.
“I basically stood in front of the machine.
“I advised the operators that I had fair and reasonable information that what was occurring was illegal.
“They said they were working under the land owner’s instructions and I pointed out that wouldn’t save them from a fine,” she said.
After a tense period, the police arrived and the contractors removed their machine and left the site.
“It ended well,” councillor Findlay.
“The machine wasn’t started up for any more clearing,” Cr Findley said.
“I probably saved the owner from doing more damage to the land and getting more of a fine.”
Councillor Findley said her intention was to support the distressed residents, not have an altercation with the landowner.
The Register approached Mr Elachi but he refused to comment.
