Vandals strike Children’s Reserve, Cenotaph gardens
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.
April 24, 2024
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.
Scottsdale RSL Sub Branch President Jan Warner said it was very disappointing to see the garden bed affected before ANZAC Day but thanked Council staff for a quick response to fix the damage within hours of it being noticed on Monday morning.
The bricks were re-laid ahead of Thursday’s ANZAC Day commemorations at the Cenotaph.
A Dawn Service will be held at 6am with the Military Museum to be open immediately following the service with a gold coin donation as entry.
The Main Service will begin at 11am.
Veterans, community groups and individuals who would like to march in are asked to form up in Alfred St at 10.30am.
Anyone wishing to lay a wreath is asked to register via email at eddiefurnell@ozemail.com.au or 0408 410 667.
Scottsdale High School’s Tara Lette will address both gatherings, speaking about the 25-year anniversary of the Timor Peacekeeping Mission and the role Peacekeepers have played since 1947.
It will be Mrs Warner’s first service as President, having taken over the role recently following four years as a committee member.
Originally from Lithgow, NSW, she served in the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps.
Her husband, Trevor Warner, was an Army veteran who passed away in 2012.
She had two brothers who also served in war with the eldest being a Vietnam Veteran.
“Over the next 12 months I aim to reach out to more veterans so that
we can get their support and knowledge and understand their needs so that we
can do the best we can to support them,” she said.
“I would also like to coordinate more fundraising, community awareness and support our young military cadets.”