Locals who allegedly damaged iconic trees along a beachside thoroughfare to keep their ocean views have been slammed over the selfish act.
Almost a dozen Norfolk Pine trees along The Grand Parade at Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney’s south were vandalised over the past few months.
Bayside Council has been forced to paint the word ‘poisoned’ on the trunks of the trees to indicate which ones have been destroyed.
Dozens of the native Australian tree species are situated along the suburb’s foreshore.
The council was first made aware of tree vandalism at the promenade 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 surged in the area with 139 trees on council-administered land targeted by the alleged offenders.
To curb the disturbing trend, Mayor Bill Saravinovski said two new trees will be planted for each one that is damaged.
Almost a dozen Norfolk Pine trees (pictured) along The Grand Parade at Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney’s south were vandalised over the past few months
‘It is always sad to see cases like this. But Council takes a strong stand against tree vandalism and will be doing all we can to find who was responsible. Council also has a policy of replacing any destroyed tree with two more,’ he said.
A council spokesperson said damage is being investigated.
‘Council continues to monitor the trees. Poisoned trees that will not recover are not necessarily removed. They could be pruned so they continue to provide habitat for local wildlife,’ the spokesperson told Yahoo.
It is not yet known if the trees will be removed.
Mr Saravinovski ordered shipping containers to be put up near the foreshore of Brighton-Le-Sands beach in 2021.
The drastic measure was taken after several trees were illegally cut down using a chainsaw.
Mr Saravinovski ordered shipping containers (pictured) to be put up in 2021 near the foreshore of Brighton-Le-Sands beach after several trees were illegally cut down
Residents took to social media to express their outrage at the damage inflicted on the trees.
‘It takes generations of Australians to let a tree grow but only takes one to poison it. All because they want bay views,’ one person wrote.
Tree vandalism is illegal under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Individuals who illegally remove trees in NSW will be hit with a fine worth more than than a million dollars.
Corporations who commit the same offence will be hit with fines of up to $5milion.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Bayside Council for further comment.
