A pile of rubbish found dumped in the skate park bowl at the Cobar Youth & Community Centre on Friday morning is becoming an all too common occurrence.
Cobar Shire Council general manager, Peter Vlatko, said it was disappointing to see Council spaces, like the skate park, which are maintained for local residents and visitors, being regularly abused by a small group of kids.
“Over recent days, rubbish has been dumped throughout the skate park, bins have been overturned, and the public barbecue area has been intentionally damaged and left in an unsafe condition,” Mr Vlatko reported.
“These facilities are provided for everyone in our community to enjoy.
“Unfortunately, behaviour like this creates unnecessary clean-up costs, takes Council staff away from other important work, and reduces the enjoyment and safety of the park for families, children and visitors.”
Local mums who use the skate park, youth centre and Drummond Park facilities, Sam Ward and Ellie Fenton, said it was terrible to see this happening.
“It’s hurting the whole community, especially on community days like these,” Sam said at the GROW Day event in the park on Friday.
Ellie described the behaviour as “disgusting” and said she would be very ashamed if her kids had done something like that.
“If that was my child that had done that, and I know my child wouldn’t do that, but if they had, and I was informed, I would come down with my child and clean it up and pay any costs,” Ellie said.
She said it’s important for parents to be teaching their children to respect public property.
Ellie suggested security cameras could be installed to identify the culprits and perhaps prevent further incidents.
Sam however is against having more cameras in the park.
“They need some early intervention to get them sorted out.
“We need to bring them straight back in, and get them to clean it up.
“There needs to be consequences for their actions. That’s not happening a lot these days,” Sam said.
They both suggested Council and police should step in and take some action.
“It shouldn’t just be a slap on the wrist,” Sam said.
Mr Vlatko said a lot of work and money has been outlaid to upgrade Drummond Park, the Youth and Community Centre and to construct the skate park so that local youth would have a place to go.
“All of these facilities are very well used by local youth and visitors to the town.
“It’s just a small group who are ruining it for everyone else,” he said.
“We ask all residents to help by respecting our public spaces and to dispose of their rubbish correctly.”
“Reporting vandalism or any suspicious behaviour and encouraging others to look after community facilities will also help to protect them,” Mr Vlatko said.
“Damaging property or making a mess may seem funny or harmless at the time, but the reality is it wastes valuable time, costs money, and creates extra work for others.
“These kids would be better off using their energy in other ways.
“They could direct it into playing a sport, helping others, learning new skills, and making a positive difference in our town.
“Cobar is their town too,” he said.
If anyone has information regarding recent incidents at Drummond Park, please contact Cobar Shire Council or local police.
