At the scene of the vandalised Ebert Park playground. Photo: Moreton Bay Regional Council
Thieves may be targeting Moreton Bay council playgrounds in Brisbane to build their own backyard versions amid a spate of arson attacks.
Mayor Peter Flannery says thieves and arsonists have been targeting their playground equipment.
“We have had playground parts and pieces of equipment such as cross bars, Roman rings and even slides stolen from our parks,” he says.
“We suspect that people are taking the equipment to build their own playgrounds in their backyard: this month alone we’ve had an estimated $15,000 in parts vanish.”
Arsonists also burned down a playground in the suburb of Bray Park twice in the space of a week, which caused $100,000 in damage.
Ebert Park playground’s two slides, shade sail, ball climbing unit, rope bridge and plastic moulded rock stairs were damaged by the flames.
Flannery says the arson attack is the latest in a series of attacks.
“I’ve had a gutful of this behaviour. Why should our community keep paying to repair damage that is totally unacceptable and unnecessary?” he says.
“In the week before school holidays, we should not have to explain to parents that they cannot take their kids to the playground because someone set fire to it. In this cost-of-living crisis, it’s important families can go to the playground, which is a free and fun school holiday activity.”
BACKGROUND
According to council:
- A small fire was initially lit at Ebert Park during the weekend of June 14-15 and then again early on Friday, June 20.
- Earlier this year, a shade sail at Town Park, North Lakes, was set alight and the burning sail dripped onto the rubber ground and caused $17,000 worth of damage.
- Late last year, arsonists destroyed helicopter play equipment at HT Ireland Reserve, Eatons Hill, resulting in a $45,000 repair bill.
LOCKYER VALLEY PUBLIC TOILET CLOSURES
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Lockyer Valley Local Government Area, council says more public toilets are to close at night as they deal with rising vandalism as well.
Councillor Anthony Wilson says vandalism appears to be increasing across the region.
“The public toilets at Littleton Park, Gatton, have been a repeat target lately with vandals smashing door locks, blocking and flooding toilets and lighting fires,” he says.
“Graffiti, drug paraphernalia and theft are an increasing problem in several of our public toilets; the only way we can combat this right now is to close those public services at night.”
He says council has now closed four public toilets in Gatton at night.
“We understand it will be a very small minority of people involved in this criminal behaviour; where we have CCTV footage, we are providing it to police,” Cr Wilson said.
He also wants residents to remain alert and report suspicious behaviour.
“If you see suspicious behaviour, please report it to Crimestoppers, council or police.
“The funds we spend on repairing vandalism are funds we don’t have for improvements to a range of community facilities.”
You can report to council after hours on 1300 005 872, Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or the police on triple zero (000).
