Victorian Authorities are investigating recent damage to park facilities. Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) officers are appalled and alarmed at the recent widespread “Hoon” behaviour observed in State Forest in the Bairnsdale District. DSE Forest Manager, Gail Penfold said State Forest recreation facilities are being targeted for random attacks.
“We simply can’t believe that this is happening to so many of the beautiful recreational sites we manage so people can enjoy and appreciate the region’s natural environment and heritage,” Ms Penfold said.
“Some historic facilities have been damaged beyond repair and have had to be removed to ensure public safety,” Ms Penfold said. The increased frequency of these senseless attacks on the facilities is costing the department time and resources to repair.
“DSE staff will have to assess each site after an incident to see whether the facilities are safe for the public to use and then make repairs accordingly. In some situations, facilities will have to be removed permanently because of repeated vandalism.”
Sites affected include:
Marthavale Hut – damage to the toilet, ‘doughnuts’ around the fire pit and picnic area.
Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail – a vehicle unsuccessfully attempted to drive onto the mountain bike trail by pushing over a metal bollard.
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge – a vehicle drove up the steps to the viewing platform, picnic table was stolen from the site.
Turntable Huts – a historic forest hut was winched off its foundations.
Seldom Seen Hut – graffiti and vandalism on the historic hut.
Store Creek Bridge near Deptford – graffiti on the bridge, road signs and the road and also on earthmoving machinery.
DSE officers are working with Victoria Police to try and control this anti-social, destructive behaviour. Senior Constable Paul Newton said anyone caught driving in a dangerous and Hoon-like manner in forest areas will run the risk of having their vehicle impounded under the new legislation. “We will be stepping up our patrols with DSE and Parks Victoria officers in local State Forest areas to crack down on this sort of behaviour,” he said. Members of the public can assist by providing information to DSE staff or to the local police. All reports will be treated in confidence.
The action of a few "Hoons" gives all four wheel drivers a bad name.
Four Wheel Drive Victoria have a "Dob In A Hoon" program where the public can send in observations and photos etc. of offenders and action will be taken. Four Wheel Drive Victoria have recently had a reported case successfully actioned in court and the offenders were prosecuted.
Check Out Four Wheel Drive Victoria Website for more details of how you can report hoons.
You Can Dob In A Hoon HERE
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