The State Government is cracking down on illegal tree clearing, introducing tougher penalties for offenders and greater enforcement powers for councils.
The measures are a direct response to recent cases of tree vandalism and illegal tree removal which have drawn community anger. While councils already have the option to pursue criminal charges for serious offences, the requirement to prove them beyond reasonable doubt, and the costs involved, mean successful prosecutions have been rare.
Legislation will be introduced to NSW Parliament to allow councils to pursue civil penalties on both public and private land for the first time. Individuals caught illegally clearing trees and vegetation could face court-imposed penalties of up to $500,000, and corporations up to $2.5 million.
Regulatory changes will run in parallel. On-the-spot fines will double from $3,000 to $6,000 for individuals and triple from $6,000 to $18,000 for businesses. Councils will be able to issue orders to stop clearing works and enforce replanting, and permits will be required to remove dead and dying trees to eliminate incentives to poison trees.
The reforms build on the government’s $60 million investment to green urban areas and increase tree canopy. Research shows trees can reduce ground-level temperatures by up to six degrees, and communities with more than 30 per cent canopy cover experience improved mental and physical health outcomes.
