Hobart ratepayers are footing the bill for around $5,000 worth of damage that was done to a West Hobart park.
The City of Hobart say the John Doggett Park was closed for several hours after vandals allegedly burned down shade sails that were protecting the play area.
The incident, which is believed to have occurred over the weekend, has caused significant damage to the park’s infrastructure and equipment.
The council say the shade sails were installed to ensure that the slide could be safely used on extremely hot, sunny days and estimates that it will cost about $5000 and take four weeks to replace the shade sails, leaving the play area without protection for the foreseeable future.
“[We] may be forced to close the park again should we have any hot weather,” the council said.
