Allman Park tree vandal to pay $116,000 in settlement

Norman Sukkar has reached a settlement with the Inner West Council to pay more than $116,000 following the poisoning of six mature trees at Allman Park in Ashfield, Sydney. The incident, which occurred in December 2024, involved Sukkar using a cordless drill to bore holes into five magenta lilly pillies and one tuckeroo before pouring petrol into them.

Council arborists determined that two trees died and the remaining four suffered irreversible decline, necessitating the removal of all six trees. The destruction sparked significant community outrage, with local residents referring to the site as a ‘tree graveyard’.

While the Inner West Council initially sought penalties of up to $1 million in the NSW Land and Environment Court, the prosecution has been discontinued in favor of an enforceable undertaking. Under the agreement, Sukkar will provide $100,000 to fund park improvements, including the planting and 12-month maintenance of seven replacement trees and additional garden bed enhancements.