Whitehead wetlands the latest victim

Now the seating for visitors, boardwalk panels as well as the structure that provides shade have been stolen.

Rotary Club of Corowa Publicity Officer Meredith Miegel said it was disappointing for the wider community that vandals have taken it upon themselves on numerous occasions to destroy or steal items from an area that is in place for the betterment of the community.

“Originally some picnic tables were there but a lot was as a result of Rotary’s initial project,” Ms Miegel said.

“We have continued to have tree planting days and provide some maintenance over the years, but more recently we have been providing a lot more repairs and maintenance. “Landcare has also done projects, one recently was with a group of young people to install a lizard habitat.

“Some damage occurred due to fire last summer, but we have had theft of the boardwalk panels for several years.

“We have been replacing them, but they just keep disappearing. This year many were stolen, at one point there were 37 panels missing.

“This is not only expensive and inconvenient, it is dangerous to the public.

“This is why the Rotary Club has made a concerted effort to replace stolen items and implement measures to deter future thefts.”

Unfortunately, the Rotary Club are not aware of who damaged the area but are hopeful that the current solution will reduce thefts that seem to be happening too often around town.

“I do not believe the perpetrators have been found. Somebody must have a very good boardwalk or outdoor area at home,” Ms Miegel said.

“There seems to be a bit of theft occurring at the moment. I believe other items are missing from around the town as well, including the hot water service and seats near the Guide Hall.

“Luckily Rotary have been able to replace all of the missing panels and the Rotarians have taken steps to make the panels harder to remove.

“We are hopeful that this will at least reduce theft of the panels. Thieves also stole the roofing off one of the shade shelters, and a picnic set which was bolted to the concrete. “They must come prepared and they possibly cut the fence to gain access to take their stolen goods home.”

In an effort to ensure the area is maintained, and hopefully to deter any further damages outside of mother nature occurrences, the Rotary Club of Corowa is now working alongside Federation Council.

“We have come to an agreement with Federation Council that we will repair the missing boardwalk panels, the roofing and the picnic tables and chairs,” Ms Miegel said.

“We have also repaired the fence multiple times. Initially the Rotarians thought that the fence had been cut by the fire crews, but it has now been repaired multiple times as the thieves have come in to remove their goods.

“One of our Rotarians, Ted Stephens, has also been doing a lot of mowing along the edges of the paths when he can find the time.

“He is trying to keep it neat and tidy, which is a mammoth job with the weather we have been having. Rotary also pruned all the bushes along the Honour Avenue entrance path.

“Council have agreed to continue to provide weed control of the pathways as specialist chemicals must be used to ensure the habitat is not harmed.

“Council just do not have the funding to replace the stolen items.”

Ms Miegel concluded that Rotary is happy to support the wetland as it is a lovely area and should be accessible and enjoyable to all, but there are deep frustrations.

“Our frustration is that we could use the funds that we have spent on the wetland to benefit other causes within our community,” Ms Miegel said.

“By stealing these things, the perpetrators are impacting our ability, a community organization, to assist our community in other ways.