A mayor on Sydney’s North Shore says she wants the person responsible for illegally destroying hundreds of trees jailed.
“They’ve also poisoned many species … including really old trees like a Sydney Red Gum or angophora that was 80 to 100 years old, so it’s really disheartening.”
Ms Hayden said there had been other incidents of tree vandalism in Castle Cove in recent years and the fines were not a deterrent.
One said they saw people with torches walking through the bushland at night.
“The fines would have to be very, very high to discourage people, but I think when it’s as serious as this jail has to be an option.”
Councils can issue a maximum on-the-spot fine of $3,000 for illegal tree removals by individuals or $6,000 for businesses.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
A mayor on Sydney’s North Shore says she wants the person responsible for illegally destroying hundreds of trees jailed.
Authorities are investigating after 265 trees in a waterfront reserve on Willowie Road in Castle Cove were either cut or poisoned between January and June this year.
“They’ve also poisoned many species … including really old trees like a Sydney Red Gum or angophora that was 80 to 100 years old, so it’s really disheartening.”
“265 trees have been destroyed… including the habitat of animals like beautiful lyrebirds, bandicoots, and wallabies that have only sort of just come back into the area as well.”
Anne-Louise Hayden lives about two streets away from the scene and said the motive behind the crime was as “obvious as the nose on your face” considering the development of new houses in the area.
Ms Hayden said there had been other incidents of tree vandalism in Castle Cove in recent years and the fines were not a deterrent.
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