Vandals damage bird hide

Thursday 22 November, 2012

Vandals have damaged a bird hide that offered great viewing of Gemmill’s Swamp in the Shepparton Regional Park.

Located on McFarlane Drive in Mooroopna the bird hide can no longer be safely used since vandals lit campfires on the Redgum floor causing significant damage. The vandals also graffitied the walls.

“This bird hide provides a special place for people to get close to nature – to observe birds in the peace of their own habitat. Now it is damaged beyond use and will take time and money to repair,” said Ranger Team Leader Neville Wells.

“To say it is frustrating would be an understatement.”

The bird hide was regularly used by locals and visitors alike, as well as school and community groups that used it for educational purposes.

Parks Victoria is calling on public information to help catch vandals in parks and reserves around Shepparton.

“Parks belong to the community. We need your help – your eyes and ears on the job – to help us catch people doing the wrong thing in Victoria’s parks,” said Neville.

“If you see someone vandalising anything in one of your local parks we urge you to contact the Police, or call Parks Victoria on 13 1963. The more details you can provide about the time, location and any vehicles involved (including registration numbers), the better the chance of us pursuing these people,” said Neville.

Rangers will be increasing patrols of parks around Shepparton to reduce vandalism and other inappropriate behaviour.

The bird hide, which was funded and built under the Drought Relief Program (managed by the Goulburn Murray CMA) employing unemployed farmers, will be repaired by Parks Victoria and is expected to reopen to the public by February 2013.