By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
VANDALISM continues to strike Walhalla, resulting in the closure of one of its main campsites until September.
An incident that occurred at the Thomson Bridge Campground at the beginning of July, which included a fire pit being stolen, illegally felled trees and lawn damage, means that one less spot will be available for the public.
President of the Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Tourism Association, Michael Leaney and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of Victoria (DEECA) both agreed that the unnecessary vandalism at Thomson Bridge only creates more hassle.
“Repairing the damage takes time and money, reducing resources available for maintaining and improving visitor facilities for the community to enjoy,” a DEECA spokesperson said.
Mr Leaney added that it also means money that should be spent on developing tourism in Walhalla is instead being used on costly repairs.
“DEECA just doesn’t have crews sitting around waiting for something to happen,” he told the Express.
“They’ve got other work scheduled and they will need to schedule in these repair works in among their other work.
“What annoys me most about it is that each dollar that’s wasted on actually repairing stuff, we don’t get new things.”
Mr Leaney, the proprietor of Walhalla’s Star Hotel, said that while there might not be a fiscal cost for the community with these repeat offences, time and effort is wasted, as well as reputational damage.
Mr Leaney admitted that the closure of the Thomson Bridge Campground doesn’t affect the Walhalla experience incredibly, due to the current winter period and other sites being larger and more popular.
However, mounting incidents over the years only brings with it more frustration from locals and respectful visitors.
As a Walhalla resident for 28 years, Mr Leaney has seen repeated vandalism in his time, including significant damage at the Moondarra Reservoir.
Many incidents usually involve hooligans rampant in their cars, chewing up grass with donuts and burnouts, and gaining access to the other remote sites to claim illegal firewood.
Mr Leaney also cited an incident at Coopers Creek from a few years ago that saw bollards pulled out of the ground and substantial damage to public toilets.
“Unfortunately, there is an ilk within the community that think this is the way of the time,” he said.
“There is an idiot factor in the community who couldn’t care less about public property … they think it’s their right to destroy it, it’s part of their fun.
“So, to be honest, it’s not uncommon.”
Mr Leaney said that a new police officer is stationed at Rawson, providing more patrols for the surrounding areas, but little can be done to deter the behaviour happening throughout the night.
Coopers Creek has also been a hub for rubbish dumping, with locals frequently having to undertake community clean-ups, while neighbouring campfires have consistently been lit on Total Fire Ban days.
Littering is also a regular occurrence along roads and in campgrounds, requiring the efforts of volunteers to pick up after offenders and keep the area looking beautiful for tourists.
“This is not because there’s a lack of garbage bins, it is not because there is a lack of facilities for them – it’s just downright lazy (and) a lack of respect,” Mr Leaney said.
“You know, I’m just going to pack up my picnic or whatever it is I’ve had, my lunch, and we’re going to drive … (until) we’ll pass a bin and we’ll put in the bin. No, we’ll just dump it on the ground where we’re finished.”
Walhalla Cricket Club, which is sporadically supported by football commentator and former V/AFL player Brian Taylor, has been an ongoing target of vandalism, including most recently in February.
With the Thomson Bridge Campground reopening in September, Mr Leaney expects all campgrounds to be busy ahead of the AFL Grand Final weekend.
In the interim, the stolen fire pit has been replaced and the public toilets and picnic tables are usable for pedestrians, while the grass needs time to regrow.
If you have information about vandalism in local forests and parks, or other environmental crime, make a report to DEECA at 136 186.
