Teed off with tree killers

Residents of multimillion-dollar properties overlooking a Little Bay golf course are prime suspects in a case of environmental vandalism that has left three trees dead.

The Coast Golf Club course superintendent Jordan Roach discovered drill holes in the bases of two gum trees and a large coastal banksia tree near the second hole tee-off area last month.

Randwick Council tree management officers confirmed the trees had been poisoned and distributed a letter informing nearby residents of what had happened.

Newly elected Green mayor Murray Matson supported the strongly worded notice that called for residents to come forward with information to help identify the vandals.

“The trees were 60 to 70 years old and probably reached maturity before their poisoners did,” Cr Matson said.

“It’s very disappointing that someone in the Little Bay community was not prepared to allow them to retain space in the shared environment.”

Club treasurer Chuck Bailey said course staff charged with looking after the vegetation had been upset by the incident. “It’s hard keeping these trees alive without somebody coming in and poisoning them,” he said.

He said the course, which was established in the 1960s, had been there longer than the residential development.