Vandals damage significant trees and fence at Colac Botanic Gardens

Published on 09 April 2019

Vandals damage significant trees and fence at Colac Botanic Gardens

Colac Otway Shire Council is urging anyone with information about a vandal attack at Colac Botanic Gardens on the weekend to contact Colac Police.

Colac Otway Mayor Jason Schram said Council was disappointed that vandals had ripped branches off and broken the tops of trees, including significant species that had been cultivated from some of the Botanic Garden’s oldest and rarest trees.

“There is damage to about 15 trees, mainly along the northern bank of the gardens and one in the centre of the gardens, including a Wollemi Pine which is one of the world’s oldest and rarest plants.

“Most of the trees are between two and five years’ old and whoever is responsible for the damage has reached through wire cages to break branches; it was a deliberate attack.

 “Our Parks and Gardens staff have also reported further damage to the Botanic Gardens fence along Fyans Street between the Hesse Street entrance and Gellibrand Street entrance.

“Someone has knocked rails off the fence so they have possibly entered the gardens from Fyans Street.”

Anyone with information which could help identify the vandals should contact Colac Police Station on 5230 0000.