By Prealene Khera
Brimbank’s only heritage-listed gardens should be blooming, instead they have been marred following continuous acts of vandalism, with its caretakers withering in frustration over the “anti-social” behaviour that has taken root.
The HV McKay Memorial Gardens in Sunshine is renowned for its rich flora and even richer history, but lately according to locals, the spot has taken on an unfavourable reputation.
“People don’t feel safe in the gardens anymore,” Friends of McKay Gardens volunteer Helen Reid said.
The Friends of McKay Gardens are responsible for the upkeep of the space alongside Brimbank council. However, in the last couple of months, on top of their general duties, members of the group are contending with a rise in vandalism in the garden.
From uprooted plants, garden beds set on fire, to smashed windows at the on-site church, and squatters at the Manse house – there’s a surge in illegal activities, Ms Reid said.
“It seems to have gotten worse in the last couple of months and it’s quite sad,” she said.
“Sunshine has this wonderful asset, we want people to come and enjoy it, not destroy it.”
It remains unclear who the perpetrators are, but the group is concerned there might be a link between an increase in camping within the garden and the rise in anti-social behaviour.
At a recent council meeting, Catherine McDonald questioned council about the damage in the gardens, asking if it intended to enact by-laws forbidding public camping in the gardens.
In her response, mayor Thuy Dang said camping was already prohibited on public land, however iterated that there [was] a distinction between “camping and persons affected by homelessness”.
But, according to Friends of McKay Gardens president Speroulla Christodoulou, the group needs more clarity on the situation.
“… It’s the anti-social behaviour that’s concerning and if [council] are not prepared to move ‘campers’ on then they need to tell us what measures they are putting in place to ensure community safety at all times,” she said.
A council spokesperson said the organisation shared in the community’s concern.
“Council works closely with Victoria Police and recently conducted a joint operation to address anti-social behaviour in McKay Gardens,” the spokesperson said.
“This operation was executed in a thoughtful, respectful and methodical way, with considerable planning and notice provided to people who frequent the gardens, including rough sleepers. We know that people experiencing homelessness or sleeping rough are some of the most vulnerable in the community.
“We are committed to finding long-term solutions to these society wide issues, with community safety being our utmost priority.”
