A developer has been convicted by Manly Local Court for the illegal removal of 14 trees.

Appearing before Magistrate Denes on 9 May, the defendant pleaded guilty to illegally removing the trees which were required to be retained and protected by a development consent. The defendant was convicted by Manly Court and was ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 plus professional legal costs.

In the judgment, Court found that the removal of 14 trees in contravention of the development consent constituted a serious breach.

Council was first alerted to the issue in September 2021 after receiving a complaint about the removal of a tree at a construction site in North Narrabeen.

On inspection, Council found that 14 trees had been removed in contravention of a development consent. 

Northern Beaches Council Interim CEO Louise Kerr said the case served as an important reminder of the need to comply with development consents.

“Northern Beaches Council is committed to protecting and maintaining trees and bushland, especially threatened species and trees with heritage significance,” Ms Kerr said.

“Council has zero tolerance to these types of offences and takes these matters seriously. 

“While these 14 trees have sadly been removed, we hope that this will serve as an important reminder to others in the community to comply with conditions of their development consent and not remove trees without Council permission.”

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