Plants stolen from arcade

Ettalong Beach Business Group member Ms Marion Nugent is "disappointed" with thieves who stole plants from the Rocks Arcade garden in Ettalong Beach on May 8.

Group press secretary Mr Richard Berntsen said Ms Nugent had been growing the garden for the past six months before the theft.

"Marion has looked after the gardens in the arcade since November last year," Mr Berntsen said.

"Plants have been donated by herself and other members of the community while Marion receives assistance from the businesses in the arcade who are fully supportive of her efforts to beautify the Rocks Arcade."

Ms Nugent said she got a lot of satisfaction out of business owners and customers who enjoyed the garden.

"I do this because I love to work in the garden, and I get satisfaction seeing people enjoying the gardens while they're sitting at the cafes or walking through the arcade," Ms Nugent said.

"So far thieves have taken herbs, liriopes and on the evening of May 8, two frangipani trees which were donated by my daughter in March.

"The remainder of the garden is overturned and destroyed.

"They were just starting to look beautiful.

"I spent two and a half hours watering on Friday afternoon and when I came down on Saturday morning they were gone."

Mr Nugent said she did not believe vandals took the plants, but someone propagating their home garden on the efforts and good intentions of members of the community.

"It is very disappointing that the volunteer efforts in the community can be destroyed and set back so far by the actions of just a few selfish people in the community," Mr Berntsen said.

Group secretary Ms Amanda Ross said all business group members were shocked and disappointed by the latest incident.

"We are disappointed that the work of a volunteer in our community is treated with such little respect," Ms Ross said.

"We are sure it is a minority of people who feel it is OK to steal from and vandalise these gardens and it is very disappointing.

"We look forward to all of the CCTV cameras being installed, as this should deter these mindless acts of vandalism, and if not, at least we will know who the perpetrators are."

Press release, 12 May 2009 Richard Berntsen, Ettalong Beach Business Group Inc