Willoughby Council says it’s confident court action imminent following probe into Castle Cove tree removal

A Sydney council is closing in on the alleged perpetrators behind an act of vandalism that saw more than 200 harbourside trees illegally removed, sending shockwaves through the community.

More than 200 trees were found to be removed in an area measuring about the size of 14 tennis courts.

A north shore council is closing in on the alleged perpetrators behind an act of vandalism that saw more than 200 harbourside trees illegally removed, sending shockwaves through the community.

Willoughby Council is ramping up a major investigation into the removal of 265 established trees that the council says were vandalised within a 3600 sqm patch of harbourside public bushland in Castle Cove last year.

The trees – some believed to be more than 90 years old – appeared to be hacked by hand, removed by chainsaw and others poisoned. The alleged vandalism has locals and neighbours shocked and outraged.

The incident has become a major talking point among residents and sparked a public appeal for information with the council pledging a $10,000 reward for information.

The council has now revealed it is “optimistic it has gathered enough evidence to justify taking the matter to court in the next few weeks”.

An aerial photo showing the location of the tree removal.

A council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to share the details of evidence gathered “as this may be damaging to any advancement in the proceedings”.

“At this stage, the Land and Environment Court is the likely jurisdiction council would pursue this matter,” the spokeswoman said.

Some of the trees dated back more than 90 years.

The trees were removed in an area measuring about the size of 14 tennis courts.

Willoughby Council has installed a mobile truck and a large banner at the site in a move it says was aimed at deterring further environmental destruction.

One of the signs reads: “3600 square metres of trees and habitat (have been) vandalised” while another states “selfish acts of vandalism have occurred in this area”.

Prominent signage has been installed in the area.

Billboards and signage have been placed in the area.

Willoughby Council says it recognised that some residents have expressed concerns over the signage, however the council has chosen to continue to display the banners “until further notice” to raise awareness of the lost natural habitat.

The council is not the only local government area grappling with a major tree vandalism with Lane Cove Council also continuing an investigation into the illegal removal of 285 trees in Longueville late last year.

The council has engaged lawyers and “subject to legal advice will be seeking the most appropriate legal redress”.

A photo of one of the vandalised trees.

The trees were found removed last year.

Mosman Council has also reported numerous incidents of tree vandalism.

The incidents have meanwhile spurred multiple councils to call on the NSW Government to introduce tougher penalties for acts of tree vandalism.

Under current laws, on-the-spot fines of up to $3000 can be issued to individuals, while businesses can be charged up to $6000. If prosecuted in the Land and Environment Court, individuals can be fined up to a $1 million, and businesses up to $5 million.

A photo of the remains of one of the removed trees.

Some of the trees were found to be drilled and poisoned.

NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully has written to Willoughby Council stating the government was willing to “work closely with councils to better understand the issues.”

Willoughby Council says it has implemented various measures in response to the vandalism incident including increased training and support programs for council rangers to deal with reports of tree removal and vandalism on both public and private land.

North Sydney Major Zoe Baker said there have been at least 15 reported instances of tree vandalism in North Sydney’s public spaces over the last decade and including a 25m tall tree removed from bushland at Forsyth Park in July last year.