Vandalism in upgraded park disappoints community

After some reported vandalism to the amenities block and the lighting last week at Dalton Park, Cobar Shire Council has been working tirelessly to get the new playground completed and ready for the community to enjoy. The new equipment has been well received by local children over the school holidays. Pictured using the new basketball court last Thursday at the park are Indie Burke, Ivy Budd, Tillie Cain, Will Lynch, Talas Burke, Jed Budd, Jax Burke, Natalie Lynch, Nick Lynch and Charlie Lynch.

Cobar Shire Council staff worked quickly and tirelessly last Thursday morning to rectify the damage caused by vandals last week to the new playground area at Dalton Park.

“Overnight the locked amenities block has been broken into and the boxed lighting (which was the last part of the project and was due to be completed today), have been smashed throughout the toilet block,” Council’s general manager Peter Vlatko explained.

“This project has been budgeted for and damages like this will cost the project an additional $2,000 of ratepayers’ money.

“This will cover replacing all of the light fittings, bulbs and clean up,” he said.

“Motorbikes have also been on the new
basketball courts doing circle work and the electrical conduit and water service was snapped off at the base of the slab to the barbeques.

“There is significant work that will need to be undertaken to repair the damage and services.”

He said it could cost upwards of $2,000, which is only an estimate.

“And the park is not even in operation yet,” Mr Vlatko said.

“Security cameras will be installed, but we just wanted to have the park ready by the end of the school holidays for the youth of Cobar.

“Unfortunately, this is the second amenities block to be vandalised over the past week,” he said, telling The Weekly Drummond Park was also the target of vandals last week.

Mr Vlatko appealed to anyone in the community who may have any information about either of the vandal attacks, to contact council or Cobar Police.