A man has been charged following an act of tree vandalism which dismayed Corrimal residents and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
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A number of mature trees located in the Underwood St Reserve were a target of vandalism on Sunday night/Monday morning.
Resident Dave Cox, who lives with wife Kay next door to the reserve said the trees had been "totally destroyed".
"They've all been snapped off, and ruined... Five are total write-offs, and one they might prune it and do something with it.
"It's beyond any sort of mental understanding why you would pick on a tree.
"This is gross stupidity, to put it mildly."
Following the incident, police began inquiries.
Wollongong Police District duty officer, Inspector Geoff Olsen said they had arrested a 27-year-old man from Fairy Meadow.
He was arrested just before 11am on Monday, close to the area where the incident occurred.
Insp Olsen said the man would be charged with malicious damage.
The reserve is located on the corner of Tarrawanna Road and Underwood Street.
The trees had been put in by Wollongong City Council a few months ago.
Mr Cox said they are "disheartened" by the vandalism.
"The council spent thousands and thousands of dollars - this was one of the last reserves left in Corrimal," Mr Cox said. "They spent an absolute motza here a few months ago.
"They're expensive, mature, special trees that were cultivated especially for a park."
Mr Cox said council and residents were attempting to create a place where families can come and picnic.
"They planted trees that have never been in there before, and they planted some expensive trees, and a couple of bigger ones.
"They've been watering them because of the drought.
"Council have been looking after them marvelously.
"The council have been doing their best to make the place environmentally-friendly for everyone, and idiots come along and ruin it all."
A Wollongong council spokesperson said they were disappointed at the report of tree vandalism in Corrimal over the weekend.
"Over the next few days council's arborists will investigate the damage and determine if the trees can be saved or need to be replaced.
"When a tree dies by an act of vandalism, it affects the community through the loss of amenity and the expense of removing the tree and replacing it with an advanced tree."
Council also encourages anyone with information about acts of tree vandalism to phone 4227 7111.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
