Te Kopua Reserve, Acacia Bay incursion and tree removal by landowners
Laurie believes that despite the Reserves Act stipulating what should not happen, including tree removal without permits, there is a laissez faire attitude to this frequently occurring issue by both the Council and some members of the community. A Taupo Times article drew public attention to the tree removal and more recently a Weekender article reported on the Council threatening ‘hefty fines’ with Mayor Trewavas speaking of ‘zero tolerance’ for ‘deliberate and destructive vandalism’. ‘This is welcome news,’ says Laurie, ‘but note that the well resourced should not be able to buy their way out of trouble, thus adding to the inequality in our justice system.’
