Illegal tree-clearing sparks investigation

Unknown offenders have damaged native vegetation in road reserves at Pimpinio, Vectis, Duchembegarra and Natimuk.

Council's technical services manager David Eltringham believed a loader was used to push over the trees. He said council had notified police and the person or people responsible for the damage could face fines and court action.

"Clearly this is willful damage," he said. "Someone has been pushing over trees for whatever reason."

Mr Eltringham said illegal disturbance of road reserves and clearing of native vegetation was an offence under the Planning and Environment Act and the Traffic Management Act. He said council wrote to residents and landowners in the affected areas warning of the consequences.

"As well as environmental damage, the act of clearing the vegetation has created road safety and fire management issues along the roads," he said. "There are laws in place to protect vegetation and people who deliberately break these laws will be prosecuted.

"If there is any doubt at all about whether vegetation might be protected, even on home property, it is important people contact council before they start clearing."

Discussing the damage at Monday night's council meeting, Cr Mandi Stewart said council needed to inform communities about land management responsibilities.

"Particularly when it comes to road reserves," she said. "We know in the past we have lost things of great value because people were not as informed as they might have been."

Mr Eltringham said anyone who could assist with the investigations should call council's environmental assets officer Steve Talbot on 0427 514 502.

He said all information would be treated confidentially.