Some of the damage.
Camera IconSome of the damage. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Trees cut down illegally in Mundaring’s Sawyers Valley

Sally McGlewHills Avon Valley Gazette

Mundaring Shire officers believe local youths used axes and machetes to cut down more than 30 trees including jarrah and banksia trees.

A community activist who did not want to be named said he saw the trees arranged in a “cubby” formation in the forest.

“They had also set up accompanying set of bike jumps/BMX trail,” he said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“The building contained marijuana smoking implements and a heap of plastic bottles,” he added.

Shire staff said the damaged area covered 20m x 20m.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 it is illegal to clear bushland without permission.

The trees were cut down in a part of the bushland ear-marked for conservation by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

The Mundaring Shire sent a team of officers to fill in the holes and deconstruct the jumps and remove the debris created by the illegal construction.

Mundaring chief executive Jonathan Throssell said the environmental damage caused at the reserve was extensive.

“This is a Shire vested reserve and has an active Friends Group,” Mr Throssell said.

“It is disappointing to see such blatant disregard for the environment.”