More trees vandalised across Tweed

TWEED Shire Council is appealing for information after a series of deliberate tree vandalism incidents across the region left mature Norfolk pines poisoned, coastal trees destroyed and old growth gum trees dying.

At the Cabarita Beach coastal walkway, two mature Norfolk pines were cut down and left at the site, while a nearby Pandanus, an iconic slow-growing coastal species, was also destroyed.

At Palm Avenue, Cabarita Beach, two healthy mature Norfolk pines growing on the council road reserve have been poisoned and are unlikely to survive.

Meanwhile, at Tweed Heads Lawn Cemetery, two old growth gum trees near gravesites were found to be dying after suffering similar deliberate damage.

The Cabarita incidents reportedly occurred in recent weeks, while council said the damage at the cemetery was discovered a few months ago.

Council manager parks and active communities Murray Smith said the number of incidents had increased significantly.

 

“We’ve seen a real spike in this kind of damage, and every case is a loss the whole community wears,” Smith said.

“A mature tree can take decades to replace.”

“When someone destroys one, they’re taking something that belongs to all of us.”

Smith urged anyone with information to contact council.

“We know how much our community values these trees, because we’re hearing it loud and clear,” he said.

“If you’ve seen something, or you have footage that might help, please pick up the phone.”

Cabarita Beach coastal walkway is one of the coast’s most popular public places and local resident Rachel Maiden said the recent acts had angered people in the community.

“Whoever did this clearly has their own interests at heart and doesn’t care about the community,” Maiden said.

“This matters to everyone, not just because of how it looks, but because our native wildlife needs somewhere safe to live.”

Trees help stabilise coastlines and protect exposed headlands and riverbanks from erosion, as well as providing shade in parks and cemeteries and creating habitat for native wildlife.

Norfolk pines are also an enduring feature of the Tweed coastline and carry cultural and historical significance.

They were planted across Australia as living memorials to soldiers who never returned from the First World War.

In the Tweed, the Cudgen First World War Memorial Avenue on Collier Street was planted in 1918, with each tree bearing the name of a local soldier who died in the conflict.

 

For the Tweed’s First Nations people, trees have long held cultural importance.

“Trees were important geographical features in our Songlines, landmarks you could see and travel by, the large figs especially,” Bundjalung Elder Uncle Franc said.

“Our people used trees, but we very rarely killed them.”

“Trees are an important part of our culture.”

Council said it took a zero-tolerance approach to vegetation vandalism on public land, with fines potentially reaching thousands of dollars depending on the circumstances, species, location and legislation involved.

The damage also carries a public cost, with the removal and replacement of the poisoned trees at Tweed Heads Lawn Cemetery alone expected to cost ratepayers about $5,000.

Anyone with information, including photographs, video footage, dashcam recordings, security camera footage or reports of suspicious activity, is encouraged to contact council on 02 6670 2400 or lodge a report through its website.