Members of the Upper Timbumburi Landcare Group, which had planted the trees, told The Leader at the time they considered the destruction to be an act of environmental vandalism.

It was reported that as many as 120 well-developed saplings, part of a corridor of more than 200, had been slashed along an unnamed road off Woodlands Rd on the Currabubula side of Duri.

When asked to comment on the issue yesterday Mrs Robertson declined to do so.

“Call Richard at my home, it has nothing to do with me,” the Legislative Councillor said. Attempts to reach Mr Robertson by phone had failed to bear fruit by press time yesterday.

Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) north west branch director Josh Gilroy said the matter had originally been referred to the department by the Tamworth Regional Council.

“The trees were slashed to the ground on the October long weekend last year,” he said.

“(The damaged trees) were noticed by a neighbour who had planted them five to seven years ago as part of a landcare group. An investigation by DECC has found that the slashing of the trees was a breach of the Native Vegetation Act, 2003.

“The man was subsequently issued with a penalty notice fining him $3300 and a remediation order, requiring him to