We are not going to be beaten by a bunch of mindless hoons, so we’ve taken back what is rightfully owned by our community.
During the past 18 months, there has been a growing problem of reckless motor vehicle drivers tearing up the turf at Appleby Reserve, next to the Appleby River.
Some of the alleged offenders have been caught and are now being dealt with through the legal system.
However, the cost of dealing with the problems means we’ve had to reduce spending in other areas and even rethink some other community projects and reserve improvements.
Now we’re striking back. We’re not going to take this mindless vandalism anymore. We’ve improved the area and shut out the troublemakers.
We’ve installed new bollards, strung high-strength steel cables, re-laid grass, and with the help of Appleby School, planted dozens of shrubs to enhance the once torn-up reserve. Hopefully, the improvements will once again make this a pleasant and enjoyable space for everyone.
Original story:
Vandals create further problems at Appleby Bridge Reserve
Thousands of dollars that could be spent on other community facilities are having to be diverted to repair damage caused by vandals in reserves at Appleby.
Our Parks and Reserves Team is deeply concerned about a recent surge in anti-social behaviour. These people’s actions have led to significant damage and have had a severe financial impact on our operations.
People using motorbikes, quad bikes, and four-wheel drives have bypassed bollards and engaged in reckless and damaging activities. This includes skidding through grass areas and plantings, and vandalising structures and signs, resulting in considerable damage.
The latest bill for these repairs is around $10,000, which has affected our ability to allocate funds to other projects. In addition, encounters with some members of the public have put our staff and contractors at risk.
We’re addressing the problem and working closely with police and security firms to find and hold those responsible accountable.
We want to ensure that we have safe and well-maintained places for everyone in our community to use and enjoy.
