Vandal poisons trees across 300 metres of Sunshine Coast beachfront
Dozens of trees, including a Norfolk pine, were illegally poisoned along a 300-metre beachfront walkway in Caloundra.
An unknown person doused a long stretch of beachfront at Dicky Beach in Caloundra with poison. The poison killed dozens of native trees.
The attack may have poisoned the soil for years. The attack included at least one tall Norfolk pine.
Council teams searched the area to remove all remaining poison. Sunshine Coast councillor Terry Landsberg said this was probably the largest poisoning incident the council had seen on the coast.
Testing is underway to identify the exact poison used. Workers want to know if any trees can be saved.
If police find and punish the culprit, environmental vandalism carries fines of more than $130,000. Nearby residents were sad about the damage to this usually green and beautiful section of coast.
- Dicky Beach, Caloundra
- Location
- 300 metres
- Distance affected
- More than $130,000
- Penalty if caught
Why it mattersThe damage may be permanent, poisoning soil for years and destroying habitat. The crime carries heavy penalties if solved.
AustraliaLocals in a prized Queensland beachfront community have lost trees that attract visitors and define the area's natural character.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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