Sydney Gardener Fined AUD $187,500 for Illegal Clearing of 287 Waterfront Trees — Sydney Auction Clearance Rate at 50%

Weekly Market Focus

A Sydney gardener has received an AUD $187,500 fine from the NSW Land and Environment Court over his involvement in the illegal clearing of protected foreshore bushland at Longueville. Yi Wang, director of Sydney Garden Home, previously pleaded guilty to three offences under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

The court heard that Wang carried out gardening work near a waterfront property on Lucretia Avenue, beside Woodford Bay Reserve, in November 2023. Over a 12-day period, he organised workers to remove vegetation from the area, ultimately clearing 287 mature trees across approximately 1,210 square metres of public land.

Investigators found that the affected area covered council-owned bushland, a public road reserve and protected foreshore land. During the works, Wang sent progress updates and photographs via WeChat and arranged for up to four casual labourers a day to carry out the clearing, paying the workers in cash. Lane Cove Council later launched an investigation using CCTV footage, reports from nearby residents and waste disposal records. The investigation found that trailers transported large quantities of branches and vegetation to a waste facility in Ryde.

The court found that the clearing destroyed native tree canopy that had existed since at least 1943 and damaged habitat linked to endangered ecological communities and local wildlife, including the Powerful Owl. Some of the vegetation could take as long as 30 years to fully recover.

The judge found that Wang did more than simply follow instructions. He actively organised labour, coordinated the works and facilitated the vegetation removal. The court described the environmental damage as “considerable”. After considering his guilty plea, cooperation with investigators, lack of prior convictions and expressed remorse, the court imposed an AUD $187,500 fine and ordered him to pay Lane Cove Council’s legal costs.

Last Week’s Auction Results

Sydney: Sydney recorded 520 scheduled auctions, with results reported for 285 properties. A total of 143 properties sold, delivering a clearance rate of 50%. The combined auction value reached AUD 133.29 million, while the median sale price stood at AUD 1,629,500.

Melbourne: Melbourne recorded 627 scheduled auctions, with results reported for 460 properties. A total of 288 properties sold, producing a clearance rate of 63%. The combined auction value reached AUD 201.87 million, with a median sale price of AUD 959,750.