Neighbour wars over ocean views are escalating on Australia’s coastlines, with councils urging residents to dob in anyone suspected of hacking or poisoning trees to improve their outlook. The latest flashpoint is Cabarita Headland in northern NSW, where two mature Norfolk pines were cut and a pandanus was drilled in separate incidents weeks apart.
Tweed Shire Council says crews found the felled pines left beside the popular Caba Hill walking track, and a pandanus destroyed by drilling.
While no offender has been identified, the site sits on the edge of a path overlooking the coastline, and the trees had partly blocked the vista.
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Council believes the most likely motive was to clear sightlines in a prime surf‑watching location.
“The site where the trees were removed is on the edge of a path with views overlooking the coastline and these views were obscured by the trees in question,” a council spokesperson told Yahoo News.
“(The spot) has magnificent views of the local beach and headland and is a prime ‘surf watching’ location.
“This is a real concern for us because trees play a vital role in protecting the coastline from erosion and providing habitat for local wildlife.”
Tweed Shire Council is urging residents to dob in their neighbours if they’re seen ‘deliberately damaging’ trees in the area.
Council believes the trees were ‘deliberately’ targeted to achieve better sea views.
Officials warn damage goes beyond views
To help catch the perpetrators, the council has now appealed for public help and wants anyone who saw suspicious activity to report it.
No fines have been issued over the Cabarita attacks so far.
However, in NSW, serious tree vandalism prosecuted in court can lead to penalties up to $500,000 for individuals, with a proposal to lift the cap to $1 million.
For companies, maximum fines currently range from $1.1 million to $2 million, with a proposed increase to $5 million.
Courts can also order remediation, including replanting, and apply ongoing daily penalties.
The Cabarita case follows a series of suspected view‑clearing stoushes around the country. Earlier this year, a Sydney council investigated alleged poisoning of native banksias at Avalon Headland and put up prominent signs to deter further damage.
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Bayside Council in Sydney has battled illegal tree poisoning in recent years.
In January, Bayside Council said it had positioned a shipping container along its foreshore to block the “desired” water view while probing suspected poisoning and vandalism.
In October, Sutherland Shire Council responded to suspected poisoning by installing large signs and barriers to obstruct newly created sightlines.
Tweed Shire Council has installed warning signs at Cabarita Beach but concedes deterrents have limits.
It’s urging locals to report tip‑offs so offenders can be identified and the coastline protected for the community and the wildlife that rely on it.
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