A WOODPARK resident has been fined more than $10,000 in Parramatta Local Court over the illegal lopping of a neighbour's Jacaranda tree.

Holroyd Council initiated the legal action following the illegal lopping in 2007.

The Jacaranda tree, between 60 and 70-years-old, in a Fairfield Road property was one of the largest Jacaranda trees in Holroyd and had a canopy span of about 18metres and was 16metres tall.

The illegal lopping reduced the tree in size by one third. Anyone who is unsure about whether approval is needed to prune or remove a tree should call the landscape and tree management unit on 98409840.

Help save a life

Lifeline Western Sydney needs volunteer suicide prevention counsellors to address a shortage.

The organisation operates a 24-hour telephone counselling service seven days a week and currently has only 100 trained volunteers to serve a population of about 750,000 people.

Lifeline western Sydney representative Jane Armstrong said the service answered 12,000 calls each year but received many more that could not be answered.

Volunteers are now being recruited for a training course in February 2009.

Details: 96892860.