Another mass killing of trees has taken place in Longueville on Sydney's lower north shore, just months after more than 200 were cut down in a nearby suburb.

I wonder if the fines are enough, assuming they find the people? I’ve heard that it’s cheaper or more profitable to just accept the fines.

Councils can issue a maximum on-the-spot fine of $3,000 for illegal tree removals by individuals, or $6,000 for businesses. Mr Wrightson said the council was getting legal advice about the best course of action, which could include seeking penalties of up to $1 million through a prosecution in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

300 tress x $6000 = $1.8million

That’s big if you chopped the trees for one house, but what if you chopped them for 10? Perhaps you would still get more than $180,000 extra each if they had better views?

  • Knusper@feddit.de
    22·
    7 months ago

    “Really, we need to send the strongest possible message that this is going to be dealt with in the most firm action possible,” Mr Wrightson said.

    Maybe they could start by not calling it “vandalism”. Makes it sound like some drunkards smashed a few bottles against a tree or something. This must have been a criminal organization, planning and executing the destruction of a massive ecosystem and a public good, presumably with some benefit for them.