IRRESPONSIBLE hoons have been wreaking havoc on Wyndham’s recreational areas.
Last month illegal trail bikes riders caused $3000 damage to Wyndham’s main BMX track.
The chewed-up Glenorden track in Hoppers Crossing was only recently given a $113,000 upgrade by the Wyndham City Council to bring it to a national competition standard.
And Cobbledicks Ford reserve at Mount Cottrell has been vandalised by four-wheel-driving “dickheads” who have ripped out bollards to perform burnouts, reported councillor Mark Rose to the last Wyndham City Council meeting.
“There’s hardly a blade of grass left down there now and it used to be a beautiful spot,” he said.
The area has been approved for a multi-stage upgrade after years of being closed to the public.
A $160,000 car park and access road into the reserve was approved at last month’s council meeting.
Mayor Shane Bourke said residents needed to dob in hoons to the police’s new anonymous hotline.
He said the vandalism to the BMX track was especially disappointing because the main users of the track – the Wyndham Warrior BMX club – had worked hard to get it to competition standard.
“It’s a very big blow for them,” he said.
Cr Bourke said the council would work with the club to fix the track.
Club vice-president Gary Morgan said the club has had to cancel practises and meets because the track was now too dangerous to use.
“We were horrified when we saw the mess,” he said. Mr Morgan said a bobcat and truckloads of fine sand would be required to re-level and resurface the 500 metre-long track.
Wyndham and Hobsons Bay police share a two-man bike patrol unit to stop illegal riders and four-wheel drivers, but “it’s hard for them to be everywhere,” said Cr Bourke.
The number for the hoon hotline is 9742 9466.
