A mass tree killing on Sydney Harbour is 'worst act of environmental vandalism' locals have seen (www.abc.net.au)

submitted 11 months ago by WaterWaiver@aussie.zone to c/sydney@aussie.zone

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I wonder if the fines are enough, assuming they find the people? I've heard that it's cheaper or more profitable to just accept the fines.

Councils can issue a maximum on-the-spot fine of $3,000 for illegal tree removals by individuals, or $6,000 for businesses. Mr Wrightson said the council was getting legal advice about the best course of action, which could include seeking penalties of up to $1 million through a prosecution in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

300 tress x $6000 = $1.8million

That's big if you chopped the trees for one house, but what if you chopped them for 10? Perhaps you would still get more than $180,000 extra each if they had better views?

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[-] bestusername@aussie.zone 9 points 11 months ago

I don't understand; why do this? If someone gains a "better" view, then isn't it blindingly obvious who cut them down?

[-] WaterWaiver@aussie.zone 7 points 11 months ago

That's probably not enough to hold up in court. They could be getting framed by a competitor builder. The trees might have been accidentally cut (eg a contractor misinterpreting the location). All sorts of things.

[-] bestusername@aussie.zone 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

You don't accidentally chop down 300 trees in the middle of the night, let alone without a single person seeing or hearing a thing.

[-] TassieTosser@aussie.zone 2 points 11 months ago

Sue them all and let God sort them out.

[-] ghostdoggtv@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

I don't know much about Aussie evidentiary standards but in murrican, that argument alone wouldn't get you beyond reasonable doubt

this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2023

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