Vandals have targeted Deniliquin South School, Deniliquin TAFE, Scott’s Park in Deniliquin’s west and two houseboats moored behind the Peppin Heritage Centre in Deniliquin’s CBD.
Broken windows were reported in three locations, and further damage was caused in the park’s toilet blocks.
Edward River Houseboat owners Neil Goudie and Yvonne Lloyd said learning of the senseless act of vandalism Sunday morning was just another blemish on 2020.
For it to come at a time when local tourism is just starting to ramp up again is a huge inconvenience, they said.
‘‘We are just broken hearted,’’ Ms Lloyd said Sunday morning.
‘‘The windows on both boats were smashed, and some rocks went straight through and damaged the curtains too.
‘‘When the Beach to Beach Walk was created we raised concerns with the council (then Deniliquin Council) that the rock fill on the banks may lead to this sort of thing.
‘‘You can see where the rocks have been removed and obviously thrown.’’
Mr Goudie said this is the first time the boats have been targeted by vandals in about five years, but he said it was once a regular occurrence.
‘‘If we had bigger rocks, it might be a bit more of a deterrent,’’ he said.
‘‘This is a case of the wrong rocks in the wrong place, but I don’t understand why anyone would want to cause this sort of damage anyway.
‘‘Our season is just starting after winter and COVID-19, and now we have to deal with this.’’
The damage to the houseboats was discovered just after 9am Sunday, by a community member using the walk.
The damage at Scott’s Park was discovered by a cleaning attendant at 7.30am Saturday.
The new and old toilet blocks were both targeted, with sinks, sink pipes and windows all broken.
Police said there was also damage to a sensor light, baby change table and to the seat of the disabled toilet.
The damage was caused sometime after 2.45pm Friday, and police say they are reviewing CCTV from the area.
The broken window at Deniliquin South School was reported at 10.30am Saturday, and is believed to have occurred after 5.30pm Friday.
Based on the pattern of the break, police believe the damaged was caused by a ball.
Damage at Deniliquin TAFE was reported at 7.30pm Monday morning.
Five flyscreens were removed from the canteen and strewn around the grounds, but police confirmed no entry was gained to the canteen.
Bricks and a door stop were also strewn through the grounds, and a texta was used to write graffiti. Police said the phrases match those reported on the playground equipment at Deniliquin’s Edward Primary School on September 22.
Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact police on 5881 9299.