Wollongong’s “Palm on a Pole” artwork in the Crown Street Mall has been damaged by fire overnight, on Saturday 1 January 2022.
Crown Street Mall security staff reported a man threw a firecracker at the tree.
Security witnessed the incident through CCTV and immediately contacted NSW Police and NSW Fire Brigades. CCTV of the incident is being handed to NSW Police to support their investigations, and Council is appealing to anyone with any information about the vandalism to contact NSW Police.
Council staff will barricade the area directly underneath the tree and qualified arborists will inspect health of the palm. At this stage, the extent of the damage to the tree is unknown.
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