Sydney gardener fined almost $200,000 for removing 287 trees to improve harbourside mansion’s water views
Summary
A Sydney gardener, Yi Wang, was fined nearly $200,000 for cutting down 287 trees without permission on protected public land near a waterfront property in Longueville. The illegal clearing harmed the habitat of protected animals and damaged an Aboriginal cultural site, leading to a court conviction in 2024.Key Facts
- Yi Wang was hired to trim grass but then cleared 1,210 square meters of public bushland without approval.
- The clearing involved 287 native trees and took place over 12 days in late 2023.
- The land cleared provided habitat to protected animals like powerful owls and microbats and protected an Aboriginal midden.
- Wang admitted to three offenses related to the illegal clearing.
- Lane Cove council called the act “the worst environmental vandalism” in the area’s history.
- Wang was fined $187,500 and ordered to pay the council’s legal costs.
- Payments to Wang for the work were reportedly left in a shoe outside the property.
- The council installed a large banner on the site to block the gained harbour views until trees regrow.
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