Adelaide homeowners have been warned to be on their guard against fake ‘tree loppers’. Photo: stock
Adelaide homeowners have been warned to be on their guard against fake arborists threatening healthy trees on their property.
The South Government says that they have been receiving reports of teams of people going door-to-door claiming to be “tree loppers”.
They are insisting that a tree on their property is dangerous and must immediately be cut down.
Consumer and Small Business Minister Andrea Michaels says it is “very alarming” to hear of people going to homes claiming to be legitimate arborists.
“Anyone going door-to-door like that is an immediate red flag and should be reported to Consumer and Business Services,” she says.
“I don’t want to see anyone conned out of their money or a healthy tree be cut down unnecessarily.”
The government says some residents have contacted a qualified arborist after an approach by them who said their tree is safe and in good health.
Reports have come from Belair and Hawthorndene residents but the minister is warning the entire metropolitan area.
“Fortunately, we are not aware of any trees that have actually been cut down by these people but it’s important to be vigilant,” Michaels says.
She points out that making a false claim is a breach of federal consumer law with penalties of up to $2.5 million for individuals.
“These ‘tree loppers’ potentially breach South Australian consumer laws as well if they are found to engage in coercing customers for payment, failing to observe the 10-business day cooling off period for door-to-door sales, known as unsolicited consumer agreements, providing false representations and wrongly claiming to be affiliated with reputable entities,” she says.
Chopping down a regulated or significant tree (with a trunk circumference of 1m or 2m respectively) without approval can earn fines of up to $120,000 under the Development Act, the minister says.
Reports can be made to CBS on 131 882.
