Out to oust fire victim

By Kath Gannaway
A MARYSVILLE bushfire survivor has endured 10 months’ harassment and damage to his property since moving to a new home in Gruyere after the fires.
David Barton returned to his Killara Road home to find someone had sawn through the pipe to a water tank next to the house while he was away, between Sunday 28 August and Thursday 1 September.
It is the latest in a series of more than 10 incidents which have made the last year a nightmare.
The perpetrators sawed through a chain on the front gates and then through the pipe resulting in the loss of 75,000 litres of water and a burnt-out pump.
Mr Barton said in May someone drove their vehicle into a verandah post, snapping it in two.
He surprised the culprit who had driven onto the property while he was out and was still in the driveway when he returned.
Mr Barton said the person sped off and although he was unable to catch him, he was able to identify the vehicle as a white 78 series Toyota Landcruiser with a tray, no bull-bar and ‘chunky, off-road’ tyres.
“Clearly someone has taken a dislike to me and is trying to intimidate me for whatever reason and for whatever purpose,” said Mr Barton who has reported the crimes to Lilydale police.
Mr Barton said first incident was in November last year when a fire-cracker as exploded in his letter box.
Over the weekend of 3-4 September, an item Mr Barton described as “offensive and obscene” was left in the letter box.
Mr Barton said he believes the same person or people are responsible for the harassment which is getting increasingly more destructive.
The cost of repairs so far is close to $2000.
Leading Senior Constable Gary Masterman from Lilydale said police had spoken to people in the area following the May incident, and that the water tank incident had been handed to the Crime Desk in the hope of gathering evidence to help in investigating what he said were serious criminal offences.
Mr Barton, who was recently awarded a bravery medal for his actions as an SES volunteer in Marysville on Black Saturday, said the acts were cowardly.
“They are cowards, lacking the courage of their convictions to address whatever issues they may have with me,” he said.
“They’ve chosen to vandalise my property and attempt to threaten and intimidate me instead.”
He said he had hoped the move to Gruyere would provide a new beginning after the loss of the family home and business in Marysville.
“It has been nothing but a nightmare,” he said.
“The sooner the house is on the market and I can move somewhere else, the happier I’ll be.”
Lilydale police would like to hear from anyone with information, particularly which could help identify the owner of the white Toyota Landcruiser.
Phone Leading Sen Const Masterson on 9739 2300 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.