Residents of Lennox Head were met with the sound of sirens early today as police moved in to evict illegal campers occupying sand dunes of Seven Mile Beach.

The long-awaited eviction was part of a coordinated operation led by Ballina Shire Council in partnership with NSW Police and Crown Lands. 

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the affected stretch of beach will be closed for up to four days while the site is cleared and remediated.

“This operation has been a long time coming,” Cr Cadwallader said. 

“Campers were given ample notice to vacate the site.

“There was a Supreme Court order, and they appealed — but that appeal was dismissed about three months ago.

“They’ve been given plenty of warning.”

The camp, located on Crown land near the Camp Drewe sports and recreation facility, had been home to a fluctuating number of squatters over several years. 

Complaints from the community have included unauthorised structures, aggressive dogs, safety concerns, and anti-social behaviour — particularly in close proximity to the children’s camp and recreational users of the beach.

“This area has posed ongoing safety issues,” Cr Cadwallader said.

“The locks on fire trails had even been tampered with, which is a serious concern during bushfire season.”

Four-wheel-drive access to the beach and nearby fire trails has been closed during the operation, with the public urged to stay clear of the area. Rangers are on site to assist with any health or animal management issues.

Caught by Surprise

While the sudden police presence in Lennox took tourists by surprise, a resident who witnessed the police cars moving quickly through town told Ballina News Daily the response had been expected by locals.

“One police car went past, then two more — bang, bang, bang and everyone knew what it meant — they’d finally hit the camp.

“They’ve had years of warnings.”

Previous attempts by authorities to move in and clear the site had led to confrontation and were ultimately unsuccessful — prompting the escalation to Supreme Court action.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, which manages the site, had earlier issued formal notice to campers in February, advising that any unclaimed structures could be removed. 

The department also launched Supreme Court action to formally evict those occupying the site illegally.

A department spokesman said the illegal camping had hampered bushfire hazard reduction in the high-risk area and raised serious public safety and environmental concerns.

Campers are being urged to use established campgrounds in the region.