A popular Oonoonba playground that fell victim to a senseless act of vandalism is set to be reconstructed this week.
Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said it was devastating for the community to see the playground destroyed earlier in the year.
"Council takes a lot of pride in providing great parks, playgrounds and open spaces to our community, so to see Oonoonba Park engulfed in flames this year was heartbreaking," Cr Greaney said.
"Outdoor play is such an important aspect of life in North Queensland, so all councillors saw it as vital that we were able to rebuild the park for the local community."
Divisional Councillor Brady Ellis said ratepayers were being left out of pocket by senseless acts of vandalism.
"I call it the scumbag tax, and each and every person in Townsville ends up picking up the bill for these acts of stupidity," Cr Ellis said.
The playground on the corner of Shannon St and McAllister Streets will be rebuilt like-for-like over the next 5 weeks.
"The rebuild is set to cost $217,000 – money that certainly could have gone towards creating new experiences for kids throughout our community," Cr Ellis said.
"Council is still working with our insurers to hopefully have the cost of the rebuild recovered, but in the end of the day our kids have been left without a great space in the coolest months of the year."
Townsville City Council manages more than 300 parks, playgrounds and open spaces.
