Politicians, parachutists condemn 'crazy' hoon behaviour in Stuart Park
'Someone could break a leg' – skydivers are worried that hoons' deep tracks at Stuart Park could be dangerous
Another weekend of madness has seen a large area of Stuart Park all but destroyed, in what’s becoming an all too frequent occurrence.
This time hoons have targeted the drop zone used daily by skydivers, creating a potential hazard for landings.
“It’s crazy behaviour,” one skydiver said after landing, skilfully avoiding the deep tyre marks carved across a large area of the park.
“They were here on Friday night and again on Saturday making such a mess,” another skydiver said. “Someone could break a leg.”
Ward Two Councillor Andrew Anthony, who condemned multiple vandalism attacks in the same area last year, was back on Sunday to survey the latest damage.
“It’s reckless. This is going to cost a lot of money to fix and that money could be spent on many other things,” Cr Anthony said.
Those responsible appear to be targeting the park when it’s at its most vulnerable. Again the burnouts followed several days of steady rain, with close to 100mm falling in Wollongong making the turf soft and easily carved up. Some of the damage was more than 20cm deep.
“It’s simply stupid behaviour," said Wollongong MP Paul Scully when shown pictures of the damage.
He urged people living in North Wollongong, close to Stuart Park, to help police catch the culprits.
“Anyone who knows something should come forward, and for those who are causing this damage, police will catch up with you.”
Surprisingly, despite two nights of activity, NSW Police said they received no calls from the public about the latest burnouts in Stuart Park. They urge anyone who hears anything suspicious to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Last year Wollongong City Council installed mobile CCTV cameras in the park for several months. Cr Anthony said he would ask council staff if the cameras could return to act as a deterrent, and catch those causing the damage in the act.
Cr Anthony – who was joined in the park by his son, James, 9, to assess the damage – isn’t sure if extending bollards around the park will solve the problem once and for all. He also said it would be “an expensive exercise”.
