By Laura Wakely
BRIMBANK Council has been left to foot a $15,000 bill after a string of drain cover thefts in the past fortnight.
At least 16 steel grates have been removed from drains since Saturday 28 January across the municipality.
Sunshine resident Tony, who did not want his surname published, told Star he was pulling up to the curb in Benjamin St when his car seemed to crash into something.
On closer inspection, Tony found the front wheel of his car had fallen into an open drain, causing damage to the wheel and steering that will require hundreds of dollars to repair.
Tony also had to pay for a tow truck to move the car out of the drain.
Council’s General Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure Paul Younis believed the grates are being stolen for scrap metal.
He said council equipment, including grates and playground equipment, had been targeted in the past by thieves.
Mr Younis said 11 grates were stolen last year and that police are investigating the recent thefts.
“(The cost to council is) approximately $15,000 which includes purchase of replacement grates and installation costs,” Mr Younis said.
“Council is currently reviewing options to install anti-theft locking devices to drainage pits.”
He said two people had reported separate incidents about the grate in Benjamin St, but council was unlikely to reimburse them for the damage to their vehicle, as it was a result of criminal activity “beyond Council’s reasonable control”.
