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Vandals' pour form

26 May 2014

A SECTION of a new footpath being built at Gunbalanya will need to be pulled up and relaid after it was vandalised overnight on Thursday 15 May.

The concrete pour was destroyed by what appear to be at least two separate sets of adult-sized footprints. Dog paw prints and graffiti scrawls also mar the work. Gunbalanya Police are investigating the incident, which caused thousands of dollars damage.

West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor Lothar Siebert, who has lived and worked in Gunbalanya for many decades, said he was dismayed by the senseless destruction.

“After all the fighting we have done to get the funds to beautify our community, it is very disappointing to see people take so little care of projects like this,” Mayor Siebert said. “This is not the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this is the walk of shame.”

Gunbalanya Community Services Manager Nathan McIvor told The Wire on Friday 15 May the damage had been done in the early hours.

“Robbie our contract mechanic checked the pour at 3am this morning then checked it at 5am and it had been trampled,” Mr McIvor said. “We have to pull it up and start again. This kind of senseless vandalism is frustrating beyond belief.”

Mr McIvor said the damage caused by the senseless actions would be a big disappointment for “the young fellas who have been working hard at doing this project for the community”.