Native trees vandalised

A number of native trees across the Peninsula have been cut down in recent weeks by vandals.

Vandals attacked six banksias between Ocean Beach and the Esplanade cutting the five metre high trees down between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday, January 18.

The trees are in a designated dune restoration area.

Council did a letterbox drop looking for information about the incident.

There is a reward of up to $5000 for information relating to the incident.

Two swamp mahoganies in Nambucca Dr, Woy Woy, have also been chopped down.

Gosford Council tree preservation officer Mr Brian Pike said that the trees were approved to be chopped down by Council for a development application.

One had a bracket fungus, the other one damage.

Residents in Burge Rd, Woy Woy, have also reported the poisoning of four mature grey mangrove trees on Burge Rd, Woy Woy, in Blackwall Reserve.

There were large drill scars to the lower trunk where poison residue stains were obvious, they said.

Council was also aware of the poisoning of these trees and said that it was being investigated by the EPA and NSW Fisheries as the trees were on Fisheries land.

Mr Pike said it was definite act of vandalism.

Ettalong residents have also reported that beachfront bottlebrush trees near the seaward end of Barrenjoey Rd have been cut down.

The trees stabilise sand dune and prevent beach erosion.

According Mr Pike, there have been similar acts of vandalism in the area in recent months.

He said Council could not do much to prevent the acts.

Anyone with information regarding the trees should contact Gosford Council.

Alison Branley, January 23