In July 2023, 256 trees were deliberately destroyed in H.D. Robb Reserve, Castle Cove.
The destruction equated to the size of 14 tennis courts, or 3600 metres squared. Vandals used a variety of chemicals and cut the trees with chainsaws. Among the destroyed trees was a 21-metre Sydney angophora believed to have been 80 years old. It is the largest tree vandalism investigation in the area’s history.
Despite continuous effort by Willoughby City Council to gather evidence and prosecute the guilty party, the case has reached an impasse
Mayor Tanya Taylor has called on the NSW state government to review the tools and barriers available to take effective action against tree vandalism. In a meeting, Mayor Taylor presented three key points and seven recommendations from Council for the state government to consider. The meeting included NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, Minister for Climate Change & Energy Penny Sharpe, Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale, Mayor of Lane Cove Merri Southwood, and Mayor of Hunters Hill Zac Miles.
‘We simply need more support in our efforts to investigate tree vandalism to ensure that this doesn’t become an even larger issue,’ says Mayor Taylor.