Footbridge falls victim to vandals
IT TOOK South Golden Beach 16 years to get its 60m pedestrian bridge, and just a few vandals to close it.
The Helen St footbridge will close temporarily for repairs after its handrails were vandalised in what community leaders say is part of a spate of recent acts destroying the peace in the beachside village.
A handful of local teenagers are being blamed for the anti-social acts and there are calls for parents to more closely monitor their children.
Angela Dunlop from the SGB Association said brute force had been used to damage the sturdy steel handrails. Sections were thrown into the canal and others dumped in the sand dunes.
Ms Dunlop said the damage was the most serious social issue she has encountered in her more than 20 years in the community.
Other incidents in recent months have included fires in the nature reserve, the community centre's ramp trashed, lights smashed, wheelie bins set alight and vegetation destroyed.
Bridge engineer and resident Tony Baggio is concerned the bridge will continue to be damaged if the perpetrators aren't caught.
Ms Baggio wants the bridge shut for some time to convince residents to assist police.
