Ku-Ring-Gai Council has prevailed in a long-running prosecution of a resident found to have directed contractors to cut down 74 trees in 2014.

Justice John Robson of the Land and Environment Court ruled last week that John David Chia, of Killara, should be held vicariously liable for the actions of the three contractors who felled the trees.

Long-running case is finally settled. Credit:Jessica Shapiro

Some of those trees were within a property Mr Chia owned in Roseville. Others were on a Crown reserve, and others were on Roseville Golf Club.

The trees were covered by a Ku-Ring-Gai Tree Preservation Order, the contravention of which was found to be an offence under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.