Tree Vandalism

Trees play an important role in our urban environment and provide many benefits to our community, including:

  • providing valuable shade
  • cooling effects during warmer seasons
  • adding value to the landscape and surrounding properties
  • providing food and habitat for local wildlife
  • instilling a sense of community pride and identity.

Unlawfully destroying, cutting, trimming, pruning, placing mulch at the base or otherwise interfering with trees in public space is an offence under Section 47(I) of the Community Local Law (2015).

If you would like to report tree vandalism, please use the service request link: Tree service request - Hobsons Bay

All reported tree vandalism will be investigated by our local laws team. Where we find that a person has breached the local law, an infringement notice per affected tree will be issued.

In order to secure an infringement, we require the following information:

  • location
  • approximate time of the vandalism 
  • a witness to the alleged incident.

You can also contact Council’s Arboriculture team via urbanforest@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or on 1300 179 944 if you have any information about tree vandalism.