Seven 30-year-old palm trees have been poisoned in the dead of night at a $25million oceanfront mansion in an elite Sydney suburb.
Investigations are continuing to discover the culprit, and it is suspected the palms were poisoned to create an unimpeded view over Tamarama beach in the city’s east.
The vandal trespassed onto the grounds of the multi-million dollar home and drilled holes into the tree trunks into which a poisonous chemical was poured.
NSW Police and lawyers for Waverley Council are gathering evidence to track down those responsible.
Hours of CCTV footage is being analysed and local residents have been questioned by authorities.
A large, council-approved banner has been hung on the poisoned palms that reads: ‘Tree poisoning, no tree should have to die for a view’.
The owner of the property, which is being redeveloped, suspects the criminal illegally gained access to their home around New Year’s Eve.
‘We’re upset that someone trespassed onto our property and drilled holes into the trees and killed them,’ they told the Daily Telegraph.
A large banner condemning the poisoning has been erected outside the property (pictured)
The trees were poisoned on the grounds of the $25million home in Tamarama (pictured)
The owner claims vandals accessed their property on New Year’s Eve and poisoned the trees
‘Sydney is all about the view. Who has the right to destroy trees for an uninterrupted view? A view is more beautiful with trees in it. They bring birds. They break up the vista a bit.’
The owner said it was their builders who first reported the tree poisoning to police.
Vandals can be slapped with a $3,000 fine per poisoned tree, and the fine could skyrocket to $110,000 if they are taken to court.
The Tamarama tree tampering comes after Lane Cove Council, on Sydney’s lower north shore, erected a view-blocking sign after up to 290 native trees were illegally chopped own in Longueville last September.
Waverley Mayor Cr Will Nemesh has condemned the poisoning and called on the state government to increase the penalties for the crime.
‘Tree vandalism is inexcusable,’ he told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.
‘It is a serious criminal act, and it undermines our community’s shared commitment to increasing tree canopy and protecting valuable green spaces – priorities that are vital to our environment and wellbeing.
‘Current state government penalties do not go far enough to deter this kind of destructive behaviour.
‘That’s why Waverley Council will consider a motion at its next meeting to formally call on the state government to increase fines for illegal tree vandalism.’
