More than 30 native plants have been stolen from a coastal restoration project at a greater Hobart beach, prompting the local council to appeal for information.
The City of Clarence discovered the theft at a revegetation site on Bellerive Beach, where native trees and shrubs had recently been planted.
The plants, protected by green tree guards, were helping the area recover from recent infrastructure works.
“These native trees and shrubs were helping the spot bounce back after the stormwater works and it’s really disheartening to see them gone,” the council said.
The theft has forced the council to divert time and money away from other environmental projects.
“Replacing them costs the community both money and time, resources we’d rather be putting into making the space thrive,” the council said.
The incident has frustrated local residents, with many expressing disbelief that someone would target an environmental project.
One local resident suggested it might be part of a broader pattern, claiming online that a woman on a nearby street had also reported plants stolen from her nature strip.
That incident has been reported to police.
The council said Tasmania Police had been notified and urged anyone with information to come forward.
