Destruction and theft of electrical systems at Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve has caused Telstra mobile interruption and cut power to sporting venues.
Vandals stole underground copper wiring and damaged electrical switchboards and an electrical pillar from the grounds last week.
Powercor crews discovered the damage when responding to a fault at the reserve early Sunday December 3.
“The incident involved offenders removing underground copper cables from electricity infrastructure, leaving the community reserve area without lighting or power,” a Powercor spokesperson said.
“Extensive repairs will need to be conducted at the site to restore the recreation reserve; we will work closely with relevant authorities to repair the damage as soon as possible.”
Telstra regional general manager Jenny Gray said a power cut in the area affected Telstra’s mobile base station, disrupting mobile services for the Riddells Creek community.
“We restored power to our site on Friday afternoon. We worked to get everything back online as quickly as possible and we thank everyone for their patience,” Ms Gray said.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council alerted community members to the damage last week indicating the reserve’s facilities were “expected to be unavailable for an extended period of time”.
Director of assets and operations, Shane Walden, said the council was assisting Victoria Police in their investigation.
“The full extent and cost of the damage is not known at this point. Damage occurred to electrical switchboards and an electrical pillar including some copper cable being removed,” he said.
“We are working with all impacted user groups, including the cricket club, to provide support and restore services as soon as possible.”
The damage does not impact the tennis club or the Scouts, but other user groups are making last-minute changes to plans.
Last week Riddells Creek Basketball Club notified members training at the reserve was cancelled until further notice due to the incident. Riddells Creek Cricket Club is also making changes to its end-of-year events.
RCCC president Susan McNair said the incident was a blow to the club.
“This is having quite an impact on the club. The irrigation system is not working, there is no lighting on the grounds and the clubrooms have no electricity,” she said.
“The council has been working with us to find a solution. If we can keep getting water to the grounds we will be able to play cricket but we won’t be able to play into the evenings without lights. Social and community events will also be impacted.
“This will impact on our income for the year and there will be things that may have to be delayed as a result.”
Ms McNair said the club committee was working hard to continue as many of its planned events as possible.
“We’re hopeful the council will continue to work with us on this to get power to the clubrooms in some way and irrigation to the oval is important,” she said.
