A coastal rehabilitation site at Quinns Beach has been vandalised twice in three weeks, causing $2000 damage.
Wanneroo Mayor Jon Kelly said rehabilitation was in progress due to issues with ongoing erosion to the main frontal sand dune and degradation of the vegetation.
“Local residents have had problems with sand blowing into their properties and the vegetation is severely degraded, so the City began rehabilitating this site in April,” Mayor Kelly said.
“The pathway from Ocean Drive was closed, signage installed notifying people of the rehabilitation site and work began on fencing the worst affected areas, installation of windbreak cloth, erosion control matting and re-planting of coastal plant species.”
On 15 May a site inspection revealed the fencing wire had been cut, posts ripped out and signage was broken.
The damage was repaired soon after and erosion control matting installed, however a further inspection on 31 May showed the site had again been vandalised.
The fencing wire had again been cut and the matting has been ripped up, deferring the planting of 1200 new plants at the site.
“So far this person or people have caused almost $2000 damage – a quarter of the total cost of the rehabilitation project, not to mention the environmental damage,” Mayor Kelly said.
“This project can achieve very good results. All we are asking is that people stick to the allocated paths, and respect that this is a rehabilitation site.”
There was previously an access path to the dog beach through part of this location, however it was closed due to safety concerns after a partial collapse to the frontal dune.