Two trees on the Williamstown foreshore have been damaged, but not by environmental vandals as originally thought.
Fears were held that two yellowing pine trees in Hatt Reserve, opposite the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, had been poisoned.
But Hobsons Bay mayor Colleen Gates said investigations showed the trees were damaged by an insect pest.
“Council officers have inspected the trees and believe that they have been affected by a borer,” she said.
“One small tree, only three metres tall, is severely affected and will be removed.
“A second tree has minimal damage and we will be monitoring it over the coming weeks. The removed tree will be replaced with a similar species during this year’s tree planting season.”
Last year, Williamstown and Newport residents were angered after trees were ringbarked and poisoned, presumably for better views of the bay.
When this occurs, the council erects a large board at the site which states: “Tree vandals have been destroying your environment.” The sign is designed to block the view the perpetrator stood to benefit from.
In February, two young Norfolk pines on the Altona foreshore were destroyed. Due to their position, their destruction was deemed to have been an act of wanton vandalism.
