Tree Trouble in Tanilba Bay Port Stephens Port Stephens by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 2, 2021 ‘Now you see them, now you don’t!’ The wall of trees at Tanilba Bay. WITH an uninterrupted water view adding tens of thousands of dollars to a property’s value, many waterfront home owners are sorely tempted to cut down saplings or poison large trees. This was the case in Nelson Bay some years back where huge blackbutt trees suddenly died. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Council’s reaction was to festoon the dead branches with ribbons of flags and to dump shipping containers in the reserve to discourage poisoning. Recently, a suspected case of tree poisoning in Caswell Reserve at Mallabula saw a large angophora costata (smooth barked apple gum) die. Port Stephens Council removed it for safety reasons. Long time residents will tell you that foliage in foreshore reserves is much thinner than it was years ago. Older trees seem to mysteriously die and new saplings suddenly ‘disappear.’ The rooting out of newly planted koala trees in Lemon Tree Passage recently begged the question, “was this wanton vandalism or wilful destruction by locals with ulterior motives?” On the other hand, waterfront reserve property owners have the right to a water view without being harrassed by over zealous green leaning activists. Peace Pde residents in Tanilba Bay recently complained to Council about a wall of trees suddenly appearing across the road from them. The Council sided with the home owners and the trees were removed. By Geoff WALKER The same area after their removal. Vandalised koala trees in Henderson Park.
