Tasmania’s Central Coast Council are searching for the culprits behind a deliberate tree poisoning incident in Penguin.
The council have discovered holes drilled into the base of the trees where poison has been poured in at Hiscutt Park and Johnson’s Beach.
“These beautiful trees are a valuable community asset, and deliberate vandalism of them impacts on the wider Penguin Community,” the Council said.
“A total of eleven trees have been identified, and the evidence is very clear how they were targeted.”
“It is not OK or acceptable for anyone to think they have the right to kill public trees.”
“This behaviour goes against the spirit of community that is so evident in Penguin.”
The trees, which have been killed as a result of the attack, will have to be replaced at a cost to ratepayers.
The council is urging anyone who witnesses damage or poisoning of trees to report it to the police.
Signs have been installed to remind people that it is illegal to deliberately poison trees in public spaces.
This incident follows the recent illegal clearing of foreshore vegetation at Hellyer Beach, which is currently under investigation by Parks and Wildlife Tasmania.
