Hobsons Bay residents alarmed as recently planted trees snapped, stolen, and poisoned

A council in Melbourne’s west is set to ramp up surveillance after a neighbourhood dispute over planted trees has grown sinister.

Trees have been destroyed and others appeared to be “poisoned” alongside the Hobson Bay Trail leaving community members outraged. Picture: Supplied

Recently planted trees in Melbourne’s west have been snapped, pulled from the ground, and potentially poisoned after a neighbourhood dispute over coastal views took a dramatic turn.

Residents are concerned a “dangerous precedent” has been set after a minority push from nearby homeowners to remove trees to prevent obstructed views was successful.

Last month, Hobsons Bay City Council made the decision to remove 160 of 320 recently planted trees along Skeleton Creek & Bay Trail at Altona Meadows.

Trees have been destroyed and others appeared to be poisoned alongside the Hobson Bay Trail leaving community members outraged. Picture: Supplied

Councillors voted to remove and “rehome” every second tree from the trail, which the Herald Sun revealed would cost over $8000 at $50 per tree.

While every other tree was set to remain, in recent weeks residents have seen trees damaged, destroyed and seemingly poisoned, sparking outrage and concern over the hope for any green space in the west.

The west has the lowest tree canopy cover in Melbourne, which experts say is contributing to poor health outcomes.

Residents are concerned the recent string of vandalism has set a dangerous precedent in the area. Picture: Supplied

Friends of Skeleton Creek secretary Denice Perryman said the latest escalation was “disgraceful” and labelled the perpetrators “vandals”.

“Don’t they know this isn’t their land, it’s not their backyard, it is a public area that desperately needs tree coverage, it is simply unbelievable what has become of this situation,” Ms Perryman said.

She conceded she could not prove the latest spate of damage was done by those associated with the petition to remove the trees, however, she said the timing was “uncanny”.

“We rarely this activity across Hobsons Bay, and nothing happened at Skeleton Creek until this campaign, now there is so much destruction with trees poisoned, stolen and snapped,” she said.

Despite 160 of 320 trees being removed following a petition, vandals have targeted several of the remaining trees. Picture: Supplied

“This section is a great open area that desperately needs coverage, I’ve spoken to park rangers who are concerned this has set a dangerous precedent and if they can’t plant trees here where can they?”

A Hobsons Bay Council spokesman confirmed they were aware of at least eight trees that had been either unlawfully removed or snapped in recent weeks.

“Council has reported the matter to Victoria Police, the missing or damaged trees will be replaced in the coming weeks, and we will increase surveillance of the area,” the spokesman said.

“The tree vandalism signage will be reinstated along this section of the trail.”