Vandalism Costs Strain Local Parks, Reserves

Council is calling on the community to help protect our public spaces following an increase in vandalism across our parks, reserves, and sporting fields.

In recent weeks, the Civic Services team has responded to a series of incidents that not only damage facilities but also create significant costs for ratepayers and disrupt community use.

Examples include:

• Playground damage – In just two weeks, twelve swing seats at South West Rocks were vandalised and had to be replaced. Each seat costs $415, and in one case a newly installed swing was damaged again within 24 hours.

• Dog-related damage – Swing seats in Crescent Head have also been chewed by dogs, making equipment unsafe for children.

• Major theft – A $3,400 nest swing was stolen from Riverside Park last week.

• Break-ins – Verge 1 Stadium was recently broken into, with equipment belonging to the Mustangs RLFC taken. The damage impacts both Council and the hardworking volunteers who fundraise for their clubs.

• Sports field damage – Willawarrin Sports Field was significantly vandalised last weekend, leaving the surface unsafe for play for the rest of the winter season and preventing local clubs from raising funds through their canteen.

Council's Parks team, already working hard to restore infrastructure following storms and floods, is under increasing pressure from these incidents. Each act of vandalism diverts funds away from future projects and improvements, forcing Council to focus on repairs instead of delivering new facilities and services.