Thieves have stolen about 40 plants valued up to $2000 from the Kyneton Botanic Gardens over an 18-month period.
Plants have been taken from three different areas of the gardens in several repeat incidents that have left local volunteers devastated.
Friends of Kyneton Botanic Gardens secretary Helen Frost said members were “extremely disappointed and disheartened” by the incidents.
“We are committed to upgrading and improving the gardens and contribute our voluntary labour, and we struggle to understand why anybody thinks it’s okay to steal plants from a public garden — or any garden,” she said.
“The gardens are for everyone to enjoy and should be respected as a community asset.”
Thieves have primarily targeted areas near the Clowes Street entrance and from garden beds behind the Gardener’s Cottage near the Clowes Street and Ebden Street intersection.
Friends group members said the stolen plants were lifted soon after planting and the planting holes were left without any attempt to disguise the theft.
Plants stolen include ‘copper glow’ tea trees, sacred bamboo, correas, Indian hawthorn hedging plants, liriopes, groundcovers, grasses, bulbs and native plants. Many plants have been replaced only to be stolen a second time.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is ramping up security at the gardens with the installation of security cameras and other measures.
Dom Testoni, council’s director of assets and operations, said the council was taking a “balanced approach to deter theft while maintaining the gardens as an open and welcoming space”.
“Measures include improved incident recording and mapping, temporary low-visibility fencing around vulnerable plantings, clearer signage, increased staff and volunteer monitoring, and improved sightlines,” he said.
“Council is also exploring appropriately governed surveillance at known hotspots and maintaining records of uncommon or high-value plantings.
“Reported incidents are documented and referred to Victoria Police where appropriate.”
The council is working with local police and encourages community members to report any suspicious activity.
