News
24 June, 2025
Anger over mindless destruction
Playgrounds across the City of Moreton Bay are being torched, stripped and vandalised, with a furious Mayor Peter Flannery declaring he’s “had a gutful” of the mounting damage to community facilities.
The latest blow is at Ebert Park, Bray Park, which was targeted twice in a week.
Fires gutted two slides, a rope bridge, climbing equipment and a shade sail—causing an estimated $100,000 in damage just days before winter school holidays.
“In this cost-of-living crisis, free activities like playgrounds are more important than ever,” Cr Flannery said.
“Instead, families are being met with burnt equipment and charred rubber flooring. It’s totally unacceptable.”
The first fire was set over the weekend of 14–15 June, followed by a second blaze in the early hours of 20 June.
The attacks come amid a growing list of deliberate damage to ratepayer-funded assets across the city.
Earlier this year, a shade sail at Town Park in North Lakes was set alight, melting onto the surface below and leaving a $17,000 damage bill.
In late 2023, arsonists torched helicopter play equipment at Eatons Hill, costing $45,000 to replace.
It’s not just fire doing the damage, council said.
Thieves have stolen slides, Roman rings, crossbars and other equipment—worth $15,000 this month alone—with council believing some are building backyard playgrounds from stolen parts.
Graffiti is also widespread, with Council issuing 4308 repair orders this financial year.
One incident at Morayfield Skate Park earlier in June caused up to $20,000 in damage.
Cr Flannery said the constant destruction was not only draining the budget but also demoralising for local families and council workers.
“Our teams work hard to build and maintain these spaces so kids have somewhere to play.
“It’s heartbreaking to see those efforts undone by senseless acts.”
Council says it is ramping up surveillance, with more than 1850 CCTV cameras now part of its public safety program, including 200 installed in the past year.
“We need the community’s help to stop this,” Cr Flannery said.
“We shouldn’t have to keep pouring ratepayers’ money into fixing what mindless vandals destroy.”
