Vandalism Closes Public Toilets

Published on 08 June 2022

Council has been forced to close public amenities at Richmond Park, Tumut to keep users safe.  This is a result of extensive damage from senseless acts of vandalism incurred over the weekend.

Vandals lit fires inside the building and caused extensive damage, including melted stainless steel toilet seats, burnt toilet roll holders, burnt cisterns, smoke damaged walls as well as burnt toilet paper strewn across the floors.

There was also widespread graffiti damage done to inside walls, doors, and cisterns.

Vandals also caused fire and graffiti damage to a lesser extent at Bila Park and Wynyard Street amenities.

Parks and public amenities in the Snowy Valleys are provided for the use of residents and visitors and it is particularly disappointing to know that persons are deliberately sabotaging them.

As well as being a disgusting and illegal act, the ongoing vandalism is very distressing for council staff who are faced with cleaning up, creating hours of work and repair bills that are terrible waste of ratepayer funds.

Council will continue to review operations and may have to make the unfortunate decision to close toilet blocks early in the evenings to limit the number of night-time incidents.

Replacement parts and accessories have been ordered and a plumber will be required to reconnect fittings.  The Richmond Park amenities will be closed until further notice while repairs and reparation works can be undertaken.

The police have been contacted and members of the public are encouraged to report damage to Council or police if they know any details.

-ENDS-