Fury at playground arson attack

Above: Mayor Peter Flannery inspects the damage at Ebert Park, Bray Park

Arsonists have burned down a playground in the City of Moreton Bay in another vandalism attack on community facilities, infuriating Mayor Peter Flannery.

Ebert Park was set alight twice in a week, causing $100,000 of damage with two slides, shade sail, ball climbing unit, rope bridge and plastic rock stairs gutted.

Mayor Flannery said the arson was the latest in a series of vandalism acts – and a costly blow for ratepayers and children ahead of the winter school holidays.

“I’ve had a gutful of this behaviour. Why should our community keep paying to repair damage that is totally unacceptable and unnecessary?” he said.

“In the week before school holidays we should not have to explain to parents they cannot take their kids to the playground because someone set fire to it. 

"In this cost-of-living crisis, it’s important families can go to the playground, which is a free and fun school holiday activity.”

A small fire was initially lit at Ebert Park, in Bray Park, over the weekend of June 14-15 and again in the early hours of June 20.

Earlier this year, a shade sail at Town Park, North Lakes was set alight, with burning material dripping onto rubber ground below, causing $17,000 of damage.

Late last year, arsonists destroyed helicopter play equipment at HT Ireland Reserve, Eatons Hill, resulting in a $45,000 repair bill.

Thieves also helping themselves to slides and other equipment.

“We have had playground parts and pieces of equipment such as cross bars, Roman rings and even slides stolen from our parks,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We suspect people are taking the equipment to build playgrounds in their backyard.

"This month alone we’ve had an estimated $15,000 in various parts vanish, yet another unnecessary impost on our ratepayers.”

Graffiti is also a major problem at parks and other community facilities, with Council recording 4308 repair orders for graffiti this financial year.

Earlier this month, vandalism at Morayfield Skate Park resulted in $15,000-$20,000 of damage.

Council is investing in its CCTV network to curb costly damage to play spaces and other community facilities.

Its public safety program includes a network of more than 1850 CCTV cameras, with nearly 200 deployed in the past 12 months.