1909
VOL. 116
NO. 14
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WEDNESDAY APRIL 24, 2024
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PRICE $1.50 INC GST
• New Scottsdale RSL Sub Branch President Jan Warner and Treasurer Kevin Keating inspect the damaged area near the Cenotaph where they are preparing for Dawn and 11am Anzac Day services. Damage was also caused to the Children’s Reserve play equipment.
Vandals strike Children’s Reserve, Cenotaph gardens BY RACHEL WILLIAMS POLICE HAVE been sent CCTV footage from Scottsdale’s Children’s Reserve and Anzac Park as they investigate a vandal attack that caused close to $20,000 in damage. Just days before Anzac Day commemorations, Dorset Council staff were required to repair a damaged garden bed near the Cenotaph after bricks were smashed. The biggest damage caused by vandals was to one of the region’s only infant play equipment pieces, with a plastic helicopter set alight. Emergency services were called to the
scene about 1.20pm on Saturday, and the fire was contained but the equipment is not salvageable. A replacement will cost $18,000 + GST. Council General Manager John Marik said staff were working closely with Tasmania Police to assist them in identifying the culprits, including giving access to CCTV footage. Council started installing cameras five years ago due to repeated infrastructure vandalism and the growing cost of repair. The success of the initiative has seen the number of cameras grow to 57 cameras in 17 sites, covering internal and external areas. The use of CCTV in this instance is
timely, given Council on Monday approved a draft CCTV and Remote Camera Policy for community consultation, which outlines use of cameras across the region. It is also working with the Local Government Association of Tasmania on a statewide system and potential new high priority community safety CCTV requirements. Mr Marik said it was an extremely disappointing and very expensive act for the community to bear. “The Children’s’ Reserve playground is well utilised and the helicopter is one of the few pieces in playgrounds across Dorset that caters for the infant/toddler age
bracket, therefore this will be a big impact on the community,” he said. “The recently advertised Playground Upgrade project at Anzac Park was scheduled for later this year following the upgrades to the Winnaleah Park and Branxholm Park playgrounds. “Due to the incident this timeline is being assessed and the Anzac Park upgrade will likely need to be brought forward to replace the vandalised equipment.” Anyone with information about Saturday’s vandalism should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000. T STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 3.
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