Fines of up to $10,000 are possible if Noosa Council tracks down the person responsible for killing off several trees adjacent to the Noosa inlet.
Tests have confirmed herbicide was used on the trees at Settler’s Cove.
The trees suspected of being poisoned include Bribie Island Pines, estimated to be 60 years old, and Hard Quandongs.
Council’s Kerri Coyle says they take these kinds of incidents seriously and are now working with the body corporate to rehabilitate the area, which is part of a protected vegetation covenant on privately owned land adjacent Noosa inlet.
“The covenant is in place to protect and conserve this vegetation as it provides an important wildlife corridor for koalas and contributes to the vegetated green backdrop to Noosa inlet, viewable from a number of vantage points at Noosa Heads,” she says.
Ms Coyle says a concerned resident alerted the council to the suspected tree kill.
“Any suspected interference with protected vegetation – be it for views, sunlight, to reduce leaf litter or any other reason – is taken very seriously by council and in this case the body corporate too, which has been very proactive in working with us to rehabilitate the area,” she says.
“Anyone found to poison, damage or clear native vegetation in breach of the planning scheme will face infringements and/or prosecution by council.”
Image: File
