Council applauded for its cut-throat response to tree poisoning near Cronulla Beach in Sydney
A Sydney council has planted five saplings in ‘retaliation’ after a large tree was poisoned in a popular beachside suburb.
Young mum Emily Maddison, 26, showed the remnants of the tree stump at Oak Park near Cronulla Beach in the city’s southeast.
‘Sydney council does not f*** around when it comes to people cutting down their trees,’ she said in a TikTok video last week.
‘They’ve planted five trees in retaliation.’
The council also erected a large sign in the park, warning vandals that future tree poisonings would be punished in a similar fashion.
‘Trees in this area have deliberately been damaged,’ the sign states.
‘Trees are important community assets. The council will plant five replacement trees for every tree damaged. Fines of up to $1.1million may apply.’
Dozens of Aussies applauded the council’s cheeky response in the comments.
A Sydney council has planted five trees after a tree was poisoned in a beachside suburb
Oak Park in Cronulla, in Sydney’s southeast, is just metres from the popular beach
‘I absolutely LOVE this,’ one wrote.
‘That’s so great and petty,’ another said.
But others said it would take years for the ‘retaliation trees’ to grow’.
‘Those trees will take years to grow to that height. They got the view,’ one said.
‘Given it’s going to take six years for those trees to grow,’ a second said.
‘Need to make the sign 10 times the size,’ a third suggested.
Sutherland Shire Council told Daily Mail it will continue to take a strong stance against tree vandalism.
‘Local residents are encouraged to contact council should they be concerned about potential incidents of tree vandalism or the illegal removal of trees on Sutherland Shire properties,’ a spokesperson said.
The park is just a few metres from popular swim spots in Cronulla (a map is pictured)
‘Where there is sufficient evidence – provided by way of witness reports, photos or video – council has the authority to issue fines and pursue prosecution.
‘Council enforces replacement planting to ensure that canopy coverage is created for the future, in adherence with the Urban Tree and Bush Land Policy principle of mitigating loss through responsible offset planting.’
