Waverley Local Council investigates alleged illegal lopping of beloved Bondi tree as residents slam ‘environmental vandalism’

Locals on a quiet street in Bondi have been left “saddened” by a shocking incident which left a native tree limbless and community members begging for answers. Residents of New St in Bondi stepped out of their homes on February 13 to see a crew of men allegedly wearing high-vis operating a chainsaw and tearing the limbs off a native paperbark tree. The limb removal job is the second instance of botanical sabotage alleged to have taken place over a matter of months on the quiet Sydney side street, which is mostly occupied by family homes. Local resident Rachel Sands, who was working from home at the time and recalls there being “a commotion,” called the incident “disturbing.” “People ran out onto the street and started to yell and scream. I heard the commotion so I came outside and saw my neighbours taking photos,” she said. “I heard their chainsaws going and people were yelling at them to stop … I believe they only stopped when the rangers from council showed up.” Neighbours said the men claimed to have been recruited by Waverley Local Council. But the council has confirmed that they were now actively investigating the incident as an act of “environmental vandalism”. “Council takes the issue of environmental vandalism very seriously. All reports received are thoroughly investigated and enforcement action is taken whenever possible,” a council spokesman said. “The alleged incident on New Street in Bondi Junction is currently being investigated by council officers. “The trees on New Street are well maintained with canopies that do not encroach on property structures or impact traffic. “In line with Council’s Tree Management Policy, the trees are at a far enough distance from property that they do not warrant pruning. Ms Sands said the paperbark trees on New Street were part of the reason she and her family decided to buy two years ago. She said she was “saddened” to see the way they were being treated. “They make the street look really pretty, which is why a lot of people like to live here,” Ms Sands said. “It’s not like the tree has caused any issues. “A couple of months ago, the council put up signs to protect the trees so it was quite disturbing for the whole neighbourhood when they started cutting into them “A lot of us are just in disbelief … usually trees that are obstructing people’s view of the ocean are the ones being sabotaged, but not these ones.” Neighbour Paul Corbett said he was “disgusted” by the incident, and has urged the council to “step up” their response. “This is such a selfish act. I’ve heard that some people don’t like the trees dropping leaves. The fact they could use that as justification to destroy decades-old trees that provide shade and a home to native animals blows my mind,” he said. “Council and the State Government need to step up and show that this kind of destruction will not be tolerated.”