Mayor Ashleigh Cagney says Camden Council are committed to protecting local sports fields “so that they can be used by the overwhelming majority of our residents and visitors who respect and enjoy them’’.
Responding to a call from the Oran Park Rovers for fencing at Doohan Reserve to stop hoons in cars or dirt bikes damaging the playing fields, Cr Cagney revealed an arrest was made last year over an act of vandalism there.
The mayor told the South West Voice there haven’t been any further incidences of vehicles on the sports grounds causing damage since the winter of 2022.
“It’s deeply disappointing that acts of vandalism like this have occurred in recent years by a small minority,’’ Cr Cagney said.
The Oran Park Rovers have called on the council to install fencing around the facility to stop vandals.
The club are also concerned lack of fencing means the game ball is “constantly entering the carpark and the road, with young kids chasing them’’, thereby creating a safety issue.
“Council have agreed to re-turf in the off season, but with lack of fencing and protection it will be wasted,’’ a parent at the club told the South West Voice.
“Surely it would make sense to spend some money on fencing to protect the fields,’’ he said.
In response, Mayor Cagney said council have taken measures to stop vehicle access to the fields at Doohan Reserve, and there are more such measures “coming soon’’.
“We’ve installed bollards adjacent to the tennis courts and play space at the lower fields to prevent cars from driving up onto the pathways,’’ the mayor said.
“We’ve also placed concrete barriers in the garden beds at the northern end of the lower fields. We have started planting trees in an offset pattern and will be adding sandstone blocks as a further deterrent which also can double as seating.
“Ball stop fencing will be installed next month at the south end of the western upper field and that will also provide a barrier to vehicles,’’ Mayor Cagney said.
