Write to council about tree vandalism, GUST urges
The Peninsula's Grow Urban Shade Trees group has urged residents to report tree vandalism to council administrator Mr Dick Persson.
This comes after Central Coast Council announced it had adopted a policy to "ensure a consistent approach to the management of vandalism of trees and other vegetation on public land".
Mr Persson welcomed the policy, but sought further information.
"I am also interested to know just how widespread it is here on the Coast so am asking for more investigation into that and see if there are is anything further we can do to make the Policy even stronger," he said.
Grow Urban Shade Tree group member Ms Melissa Chandler said: "We often get emails from the community expressing concerns about trees illegally removed, damaged by trades (including Ausgrid) or vandalised.
"This is a golden opportunity for our community to report these events - even if they seem like a long time ago - to Dick Persson.
"Your email will help build a picture of how private certification, lack of compliance checks and lack of replanting and tree protection are slowly damaging our landscape.
"The email to write to is theadministrator@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and iInclude a picture if you can.
"Put 'Tree Vandalism' in the subject line."
Mr Persson said the policy had been updated with feedback from the community late last year.
"It was great to see positive community feedback on this policy," Mr Persson said.
"The policy reinforces Council's commitment to protecting our natural environment and gives us a range of tools, including education and enforcement, to manage unlawful damage to tress and vegetation.
"I know how important the natural environment is to our community who don't want to see the natural environment destroyed by vandals.
"It is unacceptable and a problem faced by many councils.
"This policy will ensure we have a consistent approach to deterring vandalism in the first place and with stronger enforcement measures.
"It is a sensible approach considering how hard it is to catch people in the act of vandalism and we will continue to work with police and the community on the best solution."
In the issue 513 of Peninsula News, Ms Chandler was wrongly named as Michelle rather than Melissa and the tree group wrongly as the Grow Urban Street Tree group. We apologise for these errors.
SOURCE:
Media release, 23 Feb 2021
Dick Persson, Central Coast Council
Social media, 24 Feb 2021
Melissa Chandler, GUST