The trees, aged between six months and three years old, were a mix of oaks, elms, Norfolk Island pines and magnolias.

The replacement cost is around $400 per tree. 

City of Ballarat infrastructure and environment director Terry Demeo labelled the act “deplorable”.

“Tree planting is about planning for a healthier environment, making our streets more aesthetically pleasing and leaving a legacy for future generations to enjoy – as we all enjoy the avenues of established trees Ballarat’s earliest residents had the foresight to plant,” Mr Demeo said. 

“This is just the most recent example of an extremely unfortunate pattern of behaviour from irresponsible  individuals, which results in hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to council property each year.

“In recent weeks we’ve had malicious damage to newly planted trees in Dana Street, plants dug up and removed from Victoria Street and Christmas garden displays in Victoria Street vandalised.”

Councillor Belinda Coates said it was “devastating” to see so many young trees damaged, especially since it took time and effort for them to become established. 

“There is a financial cost obviously to replacing the trees, but more than that, the trees in Ballarat are really just something that people love and appreciate,” Cr Coates said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Ballarat Police.