One Mile Dunecare volunteer Janusz Haschek said this year alone Dunecare and council workers have had to repair the access ways along Surfrider Promenade four times.   

He said it is unclear whether it is one person or several, but either way volunteers have had enough. 

“It’s just frustrating. This has been going on for about 12 months now. We’re over it and it feels like council have given up on the area now,” he said. 

“Whoever it is, they are cutting the white plastic cabling and it appears someone is wobbling the posts until they come out of the ground and then they’re dumping them in the bush.

“It’s a mess. Obviously someone doesn’t agree with what council has done there but it doesn’t give them the right to destroy the area.” 

Mr Haschek estimated that the damage has cost council and Dunecare hundreds of dollars in man hours and materials. 

“This person or people aren’t aware of the damage they’re doing. It’s not only wasting people’s time having to fix it but the northern end of the beach is quite badly eroded,” he said. 

“The purpose of fencing is not to eliminate people completely but to allow vegetation to regenerate in areas that are being eroded by onshore winds. 

“Vegetation also reduces windblown sand that settles in gutters of beachfront homes and clogs storm drains.

“Anyone found vandalising public property should have to personally be involved in its replacement and cover associated costs.”

Great Lakes Council’s manager of parks and recreation Andrew Staniland said council plans to remove the damaged fence posts in the near future.

Council has included this damage to the fencing on its maintenance schedule and it will be removed as soon as practicable. 

“We are hopeful that we can work with local residents to prevent any future vandalism.  Council is asking local residents and beach users to be vigilant and report any vandalism or suspicious behaviour to police and to council.”