THE City of Cockburn says officers will continue to monitor a group of trees in Coogee which have been poisoned and are on high alert to catch the culprit.
The tuarts on Perlinte View were around 10m tall and planted across the road from the Beachpoint Cafe and a large apartment block with ocean views.
The trees were deemed perfectly healthy in July last year, but an inspection by the City’s parks supervisor just one month later found they had died.
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READ NOWAn arborist was consulted and established someone had drilled down into the trunks of the trees and poured chemical into the holes.
Tuart communities are becoming endangered on the Swan Coastal Plain and City environment manager Christopher Beaton said they were taking the case seriously.
“Because it would be treated as malicious damage and in a high profile area we would actually prosecute (take them to court) and the fine could be several thousand dollars and possibly a criminal conviction,” he said.
In the meantime, the trees will remain until deemed unsafe by an arborist.
“The City has met with surrounding residents and expressed concern about the vandalised trees,” Mr Beaton said.
“Residents have been advised the dead trees will remain in place until they become a safety hazard and then they will be removed.
“Replacement trees will be planted and should these be poisoned or vandalised, we would seek council support to install signage.”