Locals who allegedly damaged iconic trees along a beachside path to maintain their ocean views have been criticized for the selfish act.
Almost a dozen Norfolk pines along The Grand Parade in Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney’s south have been vandalized in recent months.
Three trees along The Grand Parade and eight Banksia trees near the beach were poisoned.
Bayside Council has been forced to paint the word “poisoned” on tree trunks to indicate which ones have been destroyed.
Dozens of native Australian tree species are found along the suburb’s coastline.
The council first became aware of the tree vandalism on the boardwalk in March.
Staff have been cracking down on the act by accessing CCTV footage from nearby properties in a bid to find the alleged culprits.
Tree vandalism has increased in the area with 139 trees on council-managed land being targeted by alleged offenders.
To curb this worrying trend, Mayor Bill Saravinovski said two new trees will be planted for every damaged tree.
Almost a dozen Norfolk pines (pictured) along the Grand Parade in Brighton-Le-Sands, in Sydney’s south, have been vandalized in recent months.
‘It is always sad to see cases like this. But the council takes a firm stance against tree vandalism and will do everything it can to find who was responsible. The City Council also has a policy of replacing any destroyed tree with two more,” he stated.
A council spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the damage is being investigated.
“The council will continue to monitor the trees to help determine the best course of action,” the spokesperson said.
“Poisoned trees that do not recover are not necessarily removed, we prune them and monitor them, so they continue to provide habitat for local wildlife.”
The spokesperson said the pine trees and banksias will not be removed.
Saravinovski ordered containers to be placed near Brighton-Le-Sands beach in 2021.
The drastic measure was taken after several trees were illegally felled with a chainsaw.
Saravinovski ordered shipping containers (pictured) to be placed in 2021 near Brighton-Le-Sands beach after several trees were illegally felled.
Residents took to social media to express their outrage at the damage caused to the trees.
‘It takes generations of Australians to grow a tree, but it only takes one to poison it. All because they want a view of the bay,’ wrote one person.
Tree vandalism is illegal under the New South Wales Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
People who illegally cut down trees in New South Wales will be fined more than $1 million.
Corporations that commit the same crime will receive fines of up to $5 million.
