Vandals damaging playgrounds and stealing plants

31 August 2018

Kingston Council is calling on the community for assistance to report vandalism taking place at local playgrounds.

A number of vandalism attacks have taken place over the past three months at Mentone’s Keith Styles Reserve and at Parkdale’s Dolamore Reserve.

Council officers have replaced 10 swing seats at Dolamore Reserve and another six swings at Keith Styles Reserve.

Kingston Deputy Mayor Georgina Oxley said it was disappointing that one or two vandals were ruining play areas for local children.

Council has spent more than $7500 on new equipment to repair the damage.

“Council has a dedicated staff member who regularly inspects local playgrounds to ensure they are safe for children to play, but we also welcome reports of any damage from community members,” Cr Oxley.

“I encourage anyone who sees suspicious activities to report them directly to Victoria Police.”

Vandals have also stolen dozens of plants from traffic islands in Wilson Street Cheltenham.

“Council had installed the plants following requests from residents to improve the look of the traffic treatments,” Cr Oxley said.

“But over several weeks more than 180 plants have been stolen from the site and it has cost Council around $8000 in new plants and staff time to replace them.”

“We are investing to make Kingston a better place to live and play, and it’s sad that a small group of people are causing damage to community assets.”