Damaged trees in the open space at Florida have outraged residents and frustrated a local property developer.
Camera IconDamaged trees in the open space at Florida have outraged residents and frustrated a local property developer. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Trees destroyed in ‘senseless vandalism’

Vanessa Schmitt, Mandurah Coastal TimesMandurah Coastal Times

Palm trees have been cut down at the suburb entry point, casuarinas destroyed in public open space near the beach and trees chopped down in Ocean Road Primary School.

H & N Perry development manager Ian Lovegrove said the developers, Florida Partnership, shared the community’s concern and frustration as vandalism had been a constant problem in the Dawesville area.

‘We believe the destruction was just senseless vandalism,’ Mr Lovegrove said.

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‘In the past six months four palms had been destroyed on three separate occasions.

‘As a result, the Florida Partnership erected ringlock fences surrounding the trunks to try and deter any further damage,’ he said.

‘In the latest incident, the vandals have actually lifted the fencing to cut into the trunks of the palms.

‘The trees were planted to beautify the area and also provide shade in the public open space and we are mystified as to why anyone would want to destroy them.’

The palms were planted as mature established trees about 13 years ago.

The casuarinas were planted as established trees about three years ago.

Members of the school community planted the trees on the Ocean Road Primary School property in honour of fallen soldiers.

Mr Lovegrove said he was also frustrated with the repeated acts of graffiti in the area, which staff endeavoured to remove at every opportunity.

The City of Mandurah and police are investigating the tree damage.

It is illegal to interfere with anything on local government property and offenders could be fined up to $5000.