Harbour Trust has $6000+ damage bill at Georges Heights from plant vandalism
A PLANT vandal has destroyed more than 500 young plants at Georges Heights, at a cost to the Harbour Trust of more than $6000.
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THE Harbour Trust faces a damage bill in excess of $6000 after a vandal destroyed more than 500 plants in the Georges Heights area in Mosman.
The green ripper uprooted and trashed new native plant tube stock at several locations along bush tracks.
Damage to or removal of things from Trust land attracts a fine of $1800 per offence under the Harbour Trust regulations.
Asset management and operations director Jamie Lonie said last week that the Trust had an idea of the person responsible for the brazen vandalism.
“They have been seen twice by contractors working on our behalf, so we will certainly pay attention to try and catch them in the act,” he said.
“This is not happening under the cover of darkness.”
Mr Lonie said the vandalism was first noticed about six weeks ago and the last incident occurred about three weeks ago.
“There have been at least three separate episodes — possibly more — where an individual has been removing these juvenile plants in significant quantities,” he said.
“They are pulling the plants out and just tossing them into the bush. It is most unusual.”
Juvenile plants are generally 20cm to 30cm tall and grow inside rabbit guards — plastic sleeves — until they become established.
Mr Lonie said people could call the on-duty ranger on 0432 750 714 if they saw someone damaging Harbour Trust property.