Feature Story
Strathfield Council has confirmed two acts of deliberate tree poisoning in Raw Square, Strathfield and Meredith Street, Homebush, within six weeks. The losses affect both local amenity and long-term environmental health. Here’s what happened and what residents can do.
Images courtesy of Strathfield Council
Two Incidents, Different Streets, Same Outcome
Strathfield Council has reported two separate cases of deliberate tree poisoning in recent weeks.
The most recent incident occurred along Raw Square, near Strathfield Town Centre, where a row of street trees was found dead. Council officers identified multiple drill holes at the base of the trunks. Raw Square is a busy pedestrian and traffic area, making the loss particularly visible to the community.
Six weeks earlier, two century-old Brush Box trees on Meredith Street in Homebush were also poisoned. Meredith Street forms part of a heritage conservation area, and the trees were long-established features contributing to the character and shade of the street.
Council has not suggested or speculated on motives for either incident.
Images courtesy of Strathfield Council
Why These Trees Matter
Strathfield Council stresses the community-wide impact of losing mature urban trees, especially heading into summer:
Lower urban temperatures through shade and transpiration
Cleaner air and carbon absorption
Reduced stormwater runoff and better water retention
More comfortable pedestrian environments
Improved streetscape and heritage value
Lower energy use for surrounding buildings
Older trees provide benefits that cannot be quickly replaced, a newly planted sapling may take decades to deliver comparable shade or cooling.
Images courtesy of Strathfield Council
Penalties for Tree Vandalism
Deliberate tree poisoning is considered vandalism under:
Strathfield Council’s Tree Preservation Order
NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
Penalties include:
Council fines: up to $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for companies
Court-imposed penalties: up to $110,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for corporations in serious cases
The Meredith Street incident, occurring in a heritage conservation area, may attract additional scrutiny under heritage protections.
What Residents Can Do
Strathfield Council encourages the community to help prevent further vandalism:
Report unusual activity around trees immediately – drilling, chemical containers, suspicious behaviour
Speak with neighbours to raise awareness
Use proper channels for tree management – submit a Tree Management Application for pruning or removal
Early reporting increases the chances of identifying those responsible and may allow intervention before a tree declines.
