Quick-acting council foils brazen park bench thieves in Wonthaggi
A simple community request after a brazen attack by thieves who got away with a park bench in Wonthaggi after cutting it off at the legs has led to the installation of two new park benches providing a much-needed lifeline for local walkers.
BRAZEN thieves who took off with a council park bench after cutting it off at the legs have been foiled by quick acting local citizens and pro-active local council workers.
A simple request from a community-minded resident led to the installation of two highly valued park benches in Wonthaggi, providing a much-needed lifeline for local walkers.
Wonthaggi resident Chris Kyval initiated the project after noticing his own physical limitations during his regular walks back home. Finding it increasingly difficult to complete the journey without a designated spot to sit down and rest, Mr Kyval decided to contact Bass Coast Shire Council to advocate for the community's older demographic and less-mobile pedestrians.
The council responded swiftly to his request, installing two brand-new benches to break up the walk. One of the newly minted rest spots was placed on Graham Street directly opposite the Wonthaggi Hospital at Guide Park.
The second bench was positioned further down the road, ensuring walkers have multiple intervals to catch their breath before reaching the hospital grounds.
The installations included replacing a previous asset that had been targeted by thieves.
A stolen seat, which had been cleanly cut off at the legs and removed from the area, was completely replaced with a sturdy new model within a matter of days. Mr Kyval expressed his immense satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the new infrastructure is already deeply integrated into the daily routines of local residents.
He regularly sees passers-by utilising the seats and captured a heart-warming photograph of a local group enjoying the addition. “As you get older, it’s a struggle to get home,” Mr Kyval explained.
“I asked council for a park bench in Graham Street at Guide Park opposite the Wonthaggi Hospital and a second bench before the hospital. The walking club uses the bench seats regularly, they’re well used.”
Beyond the seating, Mr Kyval praised the council's broader efforts to improve the local streetscape, particularly highlighting recent environmental initiatives. “Tree planting in Graham Street has been absolutely fantastic near Guide Park and South Dudley Road.
We need more trees,” Mr Kyval said. The improvements to the town have not been without its challenges, however. Mr Kyval pointed out that while Wonthaggi has received new rubbish bins, several of them were quickly vandalised with graffiti.
Fortunately, the community spirit remains strong. After reporting the unsightly damage using the Snap Send Solve mobile application, council maintenance crews acted rapidly to restore the area. “The graffiti has all been cleaned off,” Mr Kyval noted.
The successful installation of the seats has highlighted how localised community feedback can prompt rapid, positive action from local government, ensuring Wonthaggi remains an accessible, green, and beautiful place for walkers of all ages.
