By ANNA USHER

Over the past five years, Mosman has recorded 159 cases of tree vandalism across the LGA.

Council issued just 38 fines.

Only one matter went to court.

This is why Mosman Council is employing a tree cop.

Two years, two attacks

Mosman Collective first broke the Balmoral tree vandalism story in February 2024, when the council confirmed 13 Port Jackson figs along The Esplanade between Lower Almora St and Esther Rd had been drilled at the base and injected with suspected herbicide.

“It is beyond comprehension to think someone could do this,” Balmoral resident Kellie Thompson told Mosman Collective at the time. “Whoever did this must be caught, and I hope he rots in jail.”

The trees survived.

Then, on 9 December 2025, council officers were alerted to the unauthorised pruning of two semi-mature figs at Balmoral Reserve. A banner was installed, letters were sent to surrounding properties, and an arborist assessment was conducted. No charges have been laid.

Why no one gets caught

What is the maximum penalty for destroying one of Mosman’s heritage foreshore figs? A paltry three thousand dollars. Six thousand for a corporation.

Council has written to the NSW Minister for Planning demanding a review, saying existing fines are “an insufficient deterrent when weighed against the potential financial uplift of improved views or redevelopment outcomes.”

Forty breaches were recorded in 2024 alone – a five-year high.

“Contractors physically undertake the unlawful works,” the Council’s EP/16 report states.

“Property owners benefit from the outcome but deny instruction or knowledge. Contractual arrangements are opaque or informal, making attribution of criminal liability complex.”

Council currently spends $15,000 a year on legal, arborist and compliance costs chasing cases that rarely end in prosecution.

The tree cop

The new officer will inspect construction and development sites where significant trees face the highest risk.

“The creation of a Tree Compliance Officer role at Mosman Council is a targeted response to increasing risks, including tree vandalism, strengthening Council’s ability to investigate, monitor and enforce compliance – particularly for significant trees and high-risk development sites,” a Council spokesperson told Mosman Collective.

“The specialised role will enhance in-house expertise and evidence gathering, supporting more effective and proportionate enforcement focused on cases with the greatest environmental and community impact.”

A new fig, a bigger warning

A 200-litre Port Jackson fig will be planted in the coming weeks at Balmoral Reserve, positioned between the two semi-mature figs unlawfully pruned in December 2025.

The banner at the site comes down when the new tree goes in.
Touch it? A banner on three-metre poles goes straight back up – and stays for two years.

Council also voted to commission a report on installing CCTV and detection technology at Balmoral, and to work with neighbouring councils through NSROC on a regional crackdown.

And there’s more

Mosman Council has separately confirmed that it has received new evidence relating to an alleged case of tree poisoning at 5 – 9 Bond Street, Mosman. The matter has been referred to Council’s solicitors and is under active investigation. Council cannot comment further at this stage.

The two vandalised Balmoral figs will be assessed in six months to confirm their recovery.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Mosman Council on 9978 4000.