Queanbeyan clubs fed up with vandals

Representatives from three separate sporting groups have spoken out about ongoing vandalism following The Queanbeyan Age’s report on vandalism at the Riverside Clubhouse last week, where vandals kicked holes in doors and caused about $1000 worth of damage on Saturday, February 28.

During the same weekend, vandals broke into the toilets at the Jerrabomberra Netball Courts, knocking a basin off a wall and destroying cisterns, Queanbeyan Netball Association president Mardi Croke said.

“We had a carnival on that Sunday, so when we have a carnival we’re showcasing the town and showcasing netball to regional areas,” she said,

“We’re proud of our city and our netball, so we spent an hour cleaning it all up before the carnival.

“It’s very disappointing.”

The courts are rented from the Queanbeyan City Council, and Ms Croke said they report incidences of vandalism to council staff who then clean it up.

“Every week pretty much there will be something new,” she said.

“The clubhouse is painted in slightly different colours to cover all the graffiti.

“The council have been great, but for them to be doing that on top of what they are already doing is unfair.”

Queanbeyan City Council confirmed there had been acts of vandalism across council-owned venues but declined to offer details.

A spokesperson said council had spent “quite a bit of time and money” responding to the vandalism but could not put a cost to it. 

“Both time and money could be much better utilised throughout Queanbeyan,” they said. 

Queanbeyan and District Basketball Association president Jan Browne said the club's recent $140,000 roof replacement would not have been as urgent without the vandalism.

"The roof had rocks and things thrown on it. They walked on it and it could've given way and we would've been liable," she said.

"We've had to put security cameras up, which was thankfully donated because we wouldn't have been able to afford it."

Mrs Browne said vandals had also broken in and graffitied the facility on more than one occasion.

"We've had a lot of break-ins; one time they just threw paint on the floor, another time they broke in and rode their bikes and scooters around inside it," she said.

"They're constantly vandalising the building too.

"They even vandalised over our 'superhero graffiti wall', which was an initiative designed to keep kids off the street.

"You're not supposed to graffiti over graffiti, but they have."

The Queanbeyan YMCA has also had its fair share of vandalism to its facilities and buses in the past, executive officer Peta Virgo said.

"They would graffiti the alcove of the roof, so we had to put a fence up," she said.

"They spray painted our bus, kicked it in and broke a window.

"We're a non-for-profit organisation, so we had to clean it all up ourselves. But we just can't keep up with it."

Vandalism is not only hindering the volunteers, but also the sports people and taxpayers, the club representatives said.

"In netball's case, someone has to pay for all the clean up, so taxpayers would be getting charged for the work the council has to do," Ms Croke said.

"We've spoken to council about getting security cameras, but they're worried they'll get smashed in."

The Queanbeyan City Council spokesperson said they were working in partnership with Queanbeyan Police to improve both public safety and security through Safer By Design principles and passive surveillance. 

"This largely involves opening up visibility through the venue to the wider community and eliminating dark secluded locations," they said.

"At the end of the day it's costing families and kids money because we're having to make allowances for the cleaning [by increasing our fees]," Mrs Browne said.

"We're trying to keep the costs low because costs shouldn't be an inhibiting factor in kids playing sport, but if we're going to have to cover the costs of the vandalism then kids are going to miss out."

Queanbeyan Police acting duty officer Ben Bowles said overall break and enters were on the decline in the local area. However, he said community members should be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.

"Any premises unattended in the evening is an opportunity for criminals to get in at night time. I wouldn't say it's directly related to sporting venues. It happens at schools, commercial and residential buildings," he said. 

"There's nothing for people to necessarily be concerned about. On the whole we have seen a decline in break and enters and property-related offences in this command."