“Extremely disappointed by the disrespect shown” and “I feel sick” were reactions from two Wakefield groups after a historic railway gate at Faulkner Bush Scenic Reserve was damaged.
The standard farm gate, fitted between two large jarrah posts, possibly served as the entrance to the main driveway of the Faulkner family's house in the late 1800s.
A message on the top rail suggests a £10 fine for anyone blocking the gate.
However, the repair bill, which is yet to be determined by Waimea MenzShed, could cost Tasman District Council more than that amount.
Waimea South Historical Society secretary Yvonne Tye reported the “sick” damage to Wakefield senior constable Jamie White last week.
Wakefield Bush Restoration Society president Evie-Joy South says her message to whoever was responsible was "unprintable".
"If such folks can't give dignity and respect to the ancestors of Wakefield, then it's a very sad day, and they have to look into themselves for their actions," she says.
Evie says the incident is the latest in a string of vandalism issues the society has faced this year.
"As a society, we've just been very disappointed over the last five months at the vandalism that we've been dealing with, both at the Eva Baigent Memorial Scenic Reserve as well as the Faulkner Bush Scenic Reserve," she says.
"Having plants stolen from our two to three-year plantings. It's disappointing, but again we move on and we get sponsorship for replacement plants.
"But you do get a bit gutted, and I must admit, this year particularly has made me despair a tad."
Evie says society volunteer Eric Palmer carried out a temporary repair on the gate, while the society works closely with Waimea MenzShed to have it rebuilt.
Tasman District Council says it deplores the damage and will confirm repair and reinstatement costs once it receives a quote from Waimea MenzShed.
"It's a good chance to remind people that this kind of damage adversely affects property that is used and valued by the community – for every person who thinks causing this kind of damage is a top idea, there's an overwhelming number of people who would disagree with you," the council says.
Yvonne says the Waimea South Historical Society is also considering installing an information board highlighting the gate's historical significance in the hope it encourages greater respect from visitors.
However, Jamie believes the damage was "likely unintentional" and says proving wilful damage would be difficult given the gate's condition and the lack of photo or video evidence.
"I can't rule out that it wasn't intentional. But based on how old the gate was, I think it is quite possible that kids were playing on it, or that someone's tried to open it and it's broken, but whether it was intentional, it's hard to say," he says.
"To be fair, there hasn't really been too much further investigation into it because there's no cameras in the area, so there's no real further lines of inquiry unless someone comes to talk to us."
