DAMAGE: Some of the damage to gates, signs and fencing in the Pauls Range State forest near Toolangi, caused by vandals.
VANDALS have caused $10,000 damage to gates, signs and fencing in the Pauls Range State forest near Toolangi and forest rangers and police are calling on the public to help catch the culprits.
The damage to forest infrastructure occurred on Five Ways Track, Old Toolangi Road, Dixons Creek Road, Pauls Lane/Beaches Lane and Old Toolangi Road/Pauls Range Road in the past month.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) acting district manager Mark Barrile said that many of the gates destroyed formed part of the seasonal closure network designed to prevent damage to tracks over winter and protect water quality.
“Forest road signage not only assists the public who use our forests, but is vital for emergency services responding to incidents in the forests,” Mr Barrile said.
“The forest is popular with recreational users and these acts of wanton destruction give lawabiding users a bad name.”
“The money and other resources required to repair this damage will mean other projects in the forest will have to miss out.”
Mr Barrile said DSE forest rangers and the police had stepped up patrols of the area and would be adopting a zero tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour and vandalism.
“Several leads are being followed to try and track down those people responsible for the damage, but anyone with further information should contact police or their local DSE office,” Mr Barrile said.
