By Alesha Capone
Wyndham ratepayers will foot the bill to replace hundreds of trees which have been destroyed by vandals.
The council’s environment and sustainability portfolio holder, Cr Heather Marcus, said the council was “extremely disappointed” that around 1200 trees, which were planted along South Ring Road in Werribee less than a month ago, had been destroyed.
“It will now cost us around $20,000 to replace the damaged trees, with ratepayers ultimately covering this repair bill,” Cr Marcus said.
Cr Marcus said the trees had been planted as part of the Greening the West initiative, which is a collaboration between 22 organisations, including the council and City West Water.
“The fact that a positive and innovative partnership between many different organisations and the community has been marred by such a blatant act of vandalism is of course very upsetting,” Cr Marcus said.
“The damaged trees were a mix of native wattles, banksias and eucalypts.
“They were planted in early June and appear to have been destroyed by a vehicle driving over them.”
Cr Marcus said the council believed the trees were damaged between Monday June 18 and Wednesday June 20.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the council on 9742 0777.
