A developer has been convicted by the Manly Local Court for unlawfully removing 14 trees, in breach of development consent. The defendant, whose name was not disclosed, pleaded guilty to the charges and was ordered by Magistrate Denes to pay a $10,000 fine plus professional legal costs.
The council was alerted to the issue in September 2021 when it received a complaint about the removal of a tree at a construction site in North Narrabeen. Upon inspection, the council discovered that 14 trees had been removed in violation of development consent.
The court found that the removal of the 14 trees constituted a serious breach of the development consent. Northern Beaches Council Interim CEO Louise Kerr emphasized that the council is dedicated to preserving trees and bushland, particularly threatened species and trees with heritage significance.
Although the 14 trees have already been removed, Ms Kerr hopes that this case will remind others in the community to comply with the conditions of their development consent and seek Council permission before removing trees.