Council fails to act on wood theft

In the early hours of Sunday, September 1, a male was seen stealing our wood.

As he disappeared into the Patonga Caravan Park, I called out to him and noted his appearance and distinctive clothing.

He continued on through the children's playground.

Around 8:30 am I walked down the track from the park to the beach and found our palings with nails facing upwards, scattered on the pathway only meters from children playing on the equipment.

I continued onto the beach and found our blocked wood, where a fire had been started and many empty beer cans and bottles scattered around.

I collected the palings, gave them to the staff and reported the incident.

On returning home, I saw the same male go to his vehicle in the park.

I went and noted the number plate and again reported the number plate and incident to the park office where it was confirmed that he was staying with his family in the park.

I requested that it be reported to the police when they made their daily run through the park as we have previously had this problem this year and from campers when palings from our common fence were taken and used for fires.

The park was quite full and there was no security as had been promised by Gosford Council.

What needs to be done to have Gosford Council carry out their duties to the community?

This type of behaviour from campers is not an isolated incident in Patonga and the response from the Council is an indication that it does not believe that the camping area has any effects on the residents of Patonga.

Email, 15 Sep 2013

Chris Lawson, Patonga