Home In the News Council Local Property Manager Fined $15,000 for Illegal Tree Pruning
Local Property Manager Fined $15,000 for Illegal Tree Pruning PDF Print
20 March 2008

A property management professional was fined last month (February) in Parramatta Local Court for authorising illegal pruning works to 5 Eucalyptus trees in Oxford Street Merrylands.

A local strata agent was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay Council’s costs of $4,500.

Magistrate Denes indicated the defendant (as a property management professional/strata manager) wilfully breached Council’s Tree Management Order and together with the lasting harm that was suffered to the native trees, had contributed to the seriousness of the offence. In addition, the trees were located on the neighbouring property.

The Court heard evidence from Council’s Landscape Technical Officer in respect of the environmental harm suffered to the trees and submissions from its Legal Counsel regarding sentence. The defendant did not attend Court on the first or second hearing date, with Her Honour making her decision ex parte.

A total of 37 branches, representing close to 60% of the total canopy, were removed resulting in trees with poor form and structure. It is likely the trees will now need to be removed due to the poor quality and excessive nature of the pruning.

Council’s Tree Management Order prohibits the removal or pruning of trees without first obtaining Council Consent. In addition to Court action, Council has also issued On-the-Spot fines totalling more than $10,000 in the past 2 years for illegal pruning and removal of trees within the Holroyd area.

Trees are an essential part of our urban environment. Trees modify our climate by providing shade, protection from wind and storms, reducing dust and pollution including greenhouse gases, and provide food and shelter for our native birds and animals. More importantly, trees provide us with the oxygen we need to breathe and add beauty to our local neighbourhoods.

For information about tree pruning and removal and Council’s Tree Management Order please call 9840 9840 or visit www.holroyd.nsw.gov.au

Media contact: Alicia Hancock, Acting Media Relations and Promotions Manager, 9840 9717.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
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