THE owner of a controversial beachfront property at Callala Beach met with community resistance on Saturday when residents found him clearing his land.
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The land was the subject of a Land and Environment Court case last year in which the court rejected a proposal to build on the block.
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.
Mr Elachi cleared a section of land about 180 metres long and two metres wide.
Residents of Callala Beach phoned Shoalhaven City councillor Amanda Findley on Saturday morning when they saw an excavator clearing land on the site.
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.
Cr Gash said there was no reason Mr Elachi should be clearing the land.
Council wrote to Mr Elachi in January informing him he would need consent to clear land.
Council rangers and environmental services staff are investigating the clearing.
The issue will also be investigated by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
When Cr Findley arrived at the site on Saturday the council ranger was there among a group of angry residents.
Cr Findley stood in the front of an excavator to stop 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 workplace 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 landowner’s instructions and I pointed out that wouldn’t save them from a fine,” she said.
After a tense period, police arrived and the contractors removed their machine and left the site.
“It ended well,” Cr Findley said
“The machine wasn’t started up for any more clearing.
“I probably saved the owner from doing more damage to the land and getting more of a fine.”
Cr 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.
