Yesterday was the day that the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) served 'Statements of Claim' that have been filed with the Supreme Court to illegal squatters in RA-owned buyback houses.

On the 'House You' Facebook page from an illegal squatter in Murwillumbah, "We've been served by the Supreme Court for living in a vacant public house. Bring it on."

Acceptance of the Statement of Claim, and the willingness to fight for their right to housing peacefully was not what was witnessed on Pine Street in North Lismore.

The NSWRA had hired a security company to serve the Statement of Claim on their behalf. The first house received no answer, so the notice was taped to the door.

The second house received no answer. As the two security men were leaving the property, they were aggressively approached by a squatter yelling, "You have not been to the Supreme Court yet. Please leave."

The squatter continued to yell at the two men as they started to walk further down Pine Street to issue more Statement of Claims. They were threatened with claims of intimidation and harassment and a threat to call the police. The man used expletives, such as "Get the f*&k out of here, you f*&^%ing as&^%es."

Three Statement of Claims were put on the ground, to which the squatter yelled, "You can throw 'em on the ground, mate, right? No one's gonna touch 'em. I know how it works. We're not accepting nothing. Do you hear me."

At this point, a group of five people had gathered around the two men with a further group of four walking up Pine Street towards the group. The two security guards left.

As they left, the squatter continued his abuse, "You don't give a f&*k about people. You give a f&^k about the money in your pocket. Now, get the f&^k out of here."

(A group of illegal Pine Street squatters after yesterday's altercation)

For a peaceful, inclusive community, this illegal squatter does not represent what Lismore and its residents are about. Having visited Pine Street on a number of occasions, this man was not known to me, he appeared to be a new squatter. Every other interaction has been peaceful and respectful until yesterday.

As Greens Councillor Adam Guise said during Tuesday's Lismore City Council meeting, "Yes, The Greens are running a political campaign, and we're saying the government's to blame."

The Greens political campaign does appear to be heating up, but not in the direction that the majority of Lismore residents wish. Yesterday was an aggressive, intimidatory approach to shut down the legal system and stop people from doing their job.

It would appear that a police presence willing to protect people while doing their job is needed. This aspect has been missing when dealing with the illegal squatters on Pine Street, such as the water disconnection exercise on February 11.

The NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley and the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb can no longer stand back and watch the legal process be obstructed.

The Lismore App asked the NSWRA for comments on the Statement of Claim process yesterday. A spokesperson for the NSW Reconstruction Authority said, "Today, the Statement of Claim filed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority with the NSW Supreme Court was served on illegal occupants in Pine St and other Government owned properties in North Lismore. 

"Illegal occupants now have 28 days to respond. A directions hearing is listed for April 11. 

"These homes were bought back by the Government because they pose a serious and ongoing risk to human life. 

"The most recent operational planning for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred showed the vulnerability of the bought-back homes and also placed a significant burden on the NSW SES, who had to undertake doorknocking as part of evacuation orders.  

"Pine Street, where illegal occupants have been staying, was impacted by the cyclone, with the street flooded and occupants subject to an evacuation order by the SES.  

"The NSW Reconstruction Authority will continue working through the Courts and with the Police to resolve this issue."

Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP said, “These homes are not safe for people to live in. That is why they were bought back by the Reconstruction Authority. They are not just on flood-prone land, many of them are also contaminated with asbestos and lead paint.”

“We can’t afford to have something that has become a political campaign derail the reconstruction effort in Lismore. That’s why the Government is taking action in the Supreme Court.”

“Abusing and threatening people, including members of the media, for just doing their jobs is not on. This won’t stop us from serving those writs because this situation needs to end.”