Spate of Vandalism to Facilities

A spate of vandalism of community facilities has Deputy Mayor Dave Bilney calling for community support to stop the onslaught.

‘The latest wave of damage has been relentless and we need the community to report suspicious and anti-social behaviour to Policelink on 131 444 or police.qld.gov.au/policelink-reporting.

‘Unfortunately the most recent incidents have been centred in and around Malanda, and occurred over four consecutive nights.

‘Several toilet blocks have been graffitied, bricks torn from a dividing wall and our poor cleaners had to clean faecal matter smeared over a basin.

‘Our Community Revegetation Nursery was broken into and fences and walls damaged.

‘I’m devastated for the Malanda community and TRC staff because they are proud of their town and work hard to make it welcoming and attractive.

‘We cleaned the mess and repaired what we could but this kind of destruction can cause areas to be perceived as unsafe or unwelcoming.

‘Damage like this also diverts funding away from other, more positive projects and programs.

‘I just hope these brazen acts don’t undermine our sense of pride and community spirit, but I’m sure if we band together we can help to address this poor behaviour,’ Deputy Mayor Bilney said.