By Mitchell Clarke
Piles of mulch have been dumped in skate parks across the Cardinia Shire in a bid to deter people from using the off-limit facilities.
Cardinia Shire Council began placing the first piles around the Gembrook Regional Playground skate park on Monday 3 August.
The council will also install temporary fencing around the skate parks at PB Ronald Reserve in Pakenham and Holm Park Recreation Reserve in Beaconsfield, after a string of reported breaches.
The move echoes a controversial decision by Bayside City Council to fill skate bowls at a Highett park with rocks and sand to make the facility unusable.
All playgrounds, skate parks, BMX tracks and outdoor gym equipment in the Cardinia Shire were closed from 8 July, but that hasn’t deterred people from blatantly breaking the rules.
One woman claims she watched a man throw a closed sign into nearby bushes before ripping down red tape around a Pakenham playground last week.
On Sunday 2 August, up to five teens were reportedly seen riding the jumps at PB Ronald Reserve, despite clear signage indicating the park’s closure.
A passerby made an anonymous call to alert authorities of the illegal activity, which prompted Cardinia Shire Council to take the drastic action.
“This measure is being taken to deter illegal use of these facilities and protect the health and wellbeing of people in our community,” pandemic response manager Kristen Jackson explained.
“Using skate parks is not allowed as part of the Victorian Government’s current Covid-19 restrictions.”
The public is allowed to visit parks and reserves – except for Mount Cannibal Reserve – within five kilometres of their primary residence for exercise.
Ms Jackson encouraged community members to report incidents of non-compliance to the Police Assistance Line (for non-emergencies) on 131 444 or by submitting an online report at www.police.vic.gov.au/palolr.
“In conjunction with Victoria Police, council will continue to monitor the situation at PB Ronald Reserve,” she said.
