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pilbaraecho www.pilbaraecho.com.au
Vandalism destroys community spirit around the Pilbara
From the to the
Free Weekly 17 - 18 November 2012
By Tamara Binamat
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Look out thethe Pilbara Look outforfor Pilbara Echo November 10th 17th Echo November edition. edition. Join the official Pilbara Echo fan page on Facebook to keep up-to-date with community happenings.
Several communities in the Pilbara have recently been the target of unfortunate attacks of vandalism, including graffiti attacks at the $3 million Mara Guthurra Playground in Baynton West, Karratha, damage to property at Newman tennis courts and a chemical attack on Hedland’s first water-play park. On Sunday November 4 families arrived at Mara Guthurra Playground in Karratha to find it had been vandalised over the weekend. St Lukes College students, (rather than St Pauls Primary students as recently believed) along with the contractor who maintains the park, cleaned the graffiti at the 5,400sqm playground. The latest reports of vandalism in Newman include a smashed light cover on the tennis courts and smashed glass bottles on the court. Six bins were ripped from their bases; nine newly established trees destroyed with 23 trees in total sustaining damage. Other recent damage in Newman includes a skate park bin set alight and a smashed
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door at the new cricket clubroom. “The Shire of East Pilbara has zero tolerance for vandalism and I urge all members of our community to report information about vandals to the police,” said Shire of East Pilbara Chief Executive Officer Allen Cooper. “Vandalism is not a victimless crime. Those who live in an area affected by vandalism are often left feeling unsafe in their community, which is something we will not tolerate. “Additionally, vandalism often results in the closure of community facilities due to safety concerns,” he said. Shire President Lynne Craigie was also vocal on the effect of vandalism on the community. “The cost of vandalism has a real financial impact on the Shire and to use council funds repairing willful damage to property is a financial burden borne on all rate payers,” she said. Two cases of vandalism in one week in Hedland have caused the delay of the official opening of Hedland’s first water-play park, Marquee Park - Splash & Play, which was scheduled for Sunday
• Skate Park bin damaged in recent attack of vandalism in Newman
December 2. Offenders trespassed into the park, which is still a construction site, and poured chemical material over the splash pad causing a high level of damage to the majority of works completed in that area. In a second case, offenders broke into the caretaker’s facility and flooded the residence, causing hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damage to the property. Mayor Kelly Howlett expressed her disappointment towards the vandalism and the offenders. “The community has been waiting for Marquee Park to open for a long time, and the Town was very excited at being able to announce the opening date,” said Cr Howlett. “However, the actions of a few individuals have caused the disappointment of the entire community. “This is not the first time the park has been vandalised and Council is saddened at the fact that offenders chose to target Marquee Park. She reminded all community members the park is still a construction site and entering the site without permission is not allowed. The Town of Port Hedland will be working with contractors on developing a new works program and opening date. “With the majority of the splash pad damaged, it is expected the area may need to be removed and reinstalled, which can take up to a number of weeks. Following the installation of the splash pad, there will need to be a period of time set aside to conduct a series of water tests to ensure Marquee Park is of the highest quality and standards for opening to the community,” Mayor Howlett said. She added that repairs to the caretaker’s facility is anticipated to take many weeks, dependent on availability of workers and resources.
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11am and 2pm
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Friday 16 November
9am and 2pm
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Tuesday 20 November
9am and 2pm
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Thursday 22 November
9am and 2pm
Shire of Ashburton Community Centre, Tom Price
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qrnational.com.au • Mara Guthurra Playground in Karratha