Toolern Creek in Melton’s west has been hit by vandals twice in recent weeks, prompting residents to call for more “respect” for the area.
About 40 plastic tree guards, used to protect newly planted trees, were removed and strewn on the creek banks and in the creek last
week.
The latest act comes after vandals scrawled racist slurs and symbols across walls at nearby Toolern Creek Reserve last month.
Thousands of trees are planted each year by community volunteers and Melton council workers.
Friends of Toolern Creek president Lyn Holdsworth said group members hand-watered the plants from the creek using buckets.
She said it was frustrating to see people “disrespect” the hard work that was being done.
“Melton council officer Tony Herwerth notified me what they had done,” she said. “My grandson came down with me and we collected the guards and brought them back to the
car.”
She said the guards were necessary to protect the plants from wind and sun.
“If the guards are taken off, with this windy and hot weather, it’s not likely the plants will survive,” she said.
Melton council operations manager Leslie Stokes said the council was “extremely disappointed” by the vandalism at Toolern Creek Reserve and urged anyone who witnessed vandalism to report it to police.
Ms Holdsworth said vandalism happened regularly at Toolern Creek and in surrounding parkland and residents were helpless to stop it.
“Over the years this happens a lot and we just grin and bear it,” she said.
“What more can you do? I’ve been doing this for 14 years and it happens every now and then.
“We just have to focus on how many trees make it. If I focused on what could happen, we’d overlook all the thousands of trees that have been planted. People don’t see that part of the park and so it’s very difficult to patrol.”
