The Collinsville Waterpark is once again closed and this time it is due to the recent break-in of the pump shed and theft of the pool acid therein. This is just the latest incident in what appears to be a series of targeted crimes directed at the Whitsunday Regional Council owned facility.
Previously, young vandals have damaged the park and forcing its closure by littering and throwing glass bottles into the tipping buckets, an act that could have caused significant injury had they not been discovered. Now, CCTV footage shows that the most recent incident, the acid theft, was committed by adults and the local police were notified.
To protect the community from further crime, the council is fast-tracking a temporary fence around the vandalised pump shed and the water park. With the temporary fencing erected, entry to the water park will be via the controlled public swimming pool kiosk entry and exit point.
This means the water park will have a more closely monitored entrance point and regulated opening hours, in the hopes to reduce crimes like this from reoccurring. The council is also putting in a dedicated footpath from the pool to the water park to encourage its use again once the fence surrounding it is in place and the water park is opened again.
“It’s gone from pure, regular vandalism to hardcore with the acid being stolen,” said Cr Wright.
“I've spoken to different members of the community who have asked me the same question, the length of the destruction there was quite severe. So, we're working as quickly as we can to get it put back together and operating.”
“I'd just like to thank the community at this time for their patience, and it's just it's really disappointing that this type of vandalism goes on in such, a wonderful community. It's just a shame that it really affects the families and the good people who constantly do the right thing.”
Once the fence and the footpath are in place the water park will be reopened. It will be opened in the morning and locked in the evenings according to the public pool's hours, and now with a designated entrance, the council hopes that these community assets that all the local families enjoy will stay protected and safe for everyone.
Collinsville water park when it was open. Photo Sourced: Whitsunday Council Facebook.
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