An Aussie council has been forced to fork out some serious cash after an “elaborate” illegal cubby constructed in a prime location caused thousands of dollars of damage.
The bushland hideout with spectacular views of the Swan River was built earlier this month in Point Resolution Reserve, just metres away from luxury homes in Dalkeith — one of Perth’s most affluent suburbs.
The cubby, which featured a large hole to shield from the wind and an awning strung from nearby trees, was reported to authorities by an annoyed resident at the beginning of last week, prompting a quick response from City of Nedlands council workers.
After arriving in the area, rangers were informed by locals that a group of teens riding e-scooters were responsible for crafting the makeshift camp littered with milk crates, a spokesperson for the city told Yahoo News.
“They were estimated between 12 and 15-years-old…and there was quite a few of them,” they explained, noting that two of the kids were reportedly seen being dropped off in a Porsche. “So my guess is that they were local,” the spokesperson added.
Numerous bamboo stakes supporting new plants were removed from the area around the cubby. Pictured are similar stakes the City of Nedlands installed a few years ago. Source: City of Nedlands/Google
Illegal cubby costs council thousands of dollars
While it’s not uncommon to see such hideouts constructed around the river, this one in particular was “quite elaborate”.
“It’s always been a popular haunt for kids to put cubby houses,” the spokesperson said. “The difference with this one is they caused damage.”
Numerous bamboo stakes placed throughout the area to support new plants were removed. “Plus, there was a whole bunch of milk crates in it, and they had to be stolen from somewhere,” the spokesperson told Yahoo. It’s believed they were later returned to a nearby IGA.
The cubby has since been removed and the stakes have been returned to their respective places.
“It caused thousands of dollars in damage — that’s reached by how many stakes were pulled out, but also the time and energy needed by not only the rangers, but the parks and gardens crew as well having to go down rehabilitate,” the spokesperson said.
The kids responsible could face littering fines, however a lack of photographic evidence makes their involvement hard to prove.
Local real estate agent pokes fun at ‘newly built bushland retreat’
While residents were clearly not pleased by the youths’ actions, a local real estate agent has taken the opportunity to poke fun at the latest ‘property’ to hit the market.
“Why settle for four walls when you can have nature’s open plan?” Jamie Harrington with Hub Residential said, according to the POST, a locally-owned newspaper.
“This newly built bushland retreat features industrial-style seating, no strata fees, year-round alfresco dining and uninterrupted water views!
“With just a few compromises, this would be a lifestyle hard to beat!”
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