Council angered by Pinnacle vandalism

An incident of vandalism at the Pinnacle Reserve near Mt Canobolas has disappointed Orange’s deputy mayor Cr Joanne McRae.

Council staff have discovered that six trees have been felled by someone using a chain-saw in the picnic area.

The loss of the first tree was noticed about six weeks ago by a council weeds officer spraying for English Ivy. Then on Monday three further stumps were discovered. It’s believed these trees were felled over the weekend. Then yesterday (Tuesday) staff found two further trees had been cut down, since the weekend. Six, in total.

The area is an open community reserve across the road from the walking trail up to the Pinnacle look-out.

“This is a community recreation area that’s open to be enjoyed by anyone visiting the mountain,” Cr Joanne McRae said. “The trees that grow here are all part of what makes Mt Canobolas such a special place to visit. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would do this.”

“I can’t understand why they think it is OK to cut down trees in a public space.

"The bluestone picnic shelters and the BBQ areas are so close to the bush. Why someone with a chainsaw would want to bring down a tree in a picnic area like this is beyond me.

“It looks this attack happened on the weekend. I’m hoping someone driving past has noticed something that will let council staff get to the bottom of this.

“People know you can’t go onto privately-owned land to collect firewood. Surely they know you can’t go into a reserve that’s enjoyed by the whole community and do the same thing.

“It’s illegal to cut down trees without permission, apart from the risk to anyone nearby and the long-term damage to a public park.

“It will take years for these trees of this size will grow back and provide the shade they once did in this picnic area, so the next family that comes here for a picnic will miss out.”