Dirt bike riders ‘terrorising’ families at Morphett Vale playground

Dirt bike riders are regularly hooning at a playground in Adelaide’s southern suburbs and putting children at risk.

Dirt bike riders have been accused of “terrorising” families at a Morphett Vale playground.

Resident Scott, who does not want his surname published, fears children using the Marston Drive playground are at risk of injury or death.

He is calling on Onkaparinga Council to install fencing around the reserve to keep out the intruders.

They race through it daily from about 4pm, he says, leading him to suspect that youths riding dirt bikes after school could be among the hoon riders.

“Motorbike riders are terrorising our local parklands,” Scott said.

“It’s only a matter of time before they kill or seriously injure somebody – most probably a kid using the play equipment.

“I have witnessed them come within 3m of the playground and 1m from a blind corner behind a toilet block in excess of 80km/h.

“The park and wetlands are used by many of the local residents to walk, exercise dogs and by a lot of the local kids to play on the playground.

“My own two girls, aged four and seven, also use this playground.”

A dirt bike rider metres from the playground on Marston Drive in Morphett Vale.

He said he had contacted the police on several occasions but as most of the bikes did not have licence plates and were not on the road it was difficult for the police to act.

“It is not a traffic problem as they are using the creek trails and parklands to enter and exit the numerous trails along the Southern Expressway, therefore never actually being on the roads where the police operate,” he said

“Bollards and fencing need to be installed before someone is killed.

“If they can’t get into the park, they will have to go on the road, and then they can get picked up by the cops.”

Google map showing the proximity of the Marston Drive reserve and wetlands to trails alongside the Southern Expressway.

Southern District police officer-in-charge Yvette Clark said it was illegal to ride a motorbike on council property.

“The policing of this type of offending does pose some challenges, however, timely reporting from the community and accurate descriptions helps police considerably,” Superintendent Clark said.

“In addition to investigating reports, these calls help police to gather intelligence to put patrols in the right place at the right time to prevent things occurring.”

Dangerous behaviour by dirt bike riders is an ongoing problem in Adelaide’s south.

Last year, Seaford Meadows resident Neal Smith had his seven-month-old puppy Piper killed outside his home by a dirt bike rider, who did not stop after hitting the dog.

Neal Smith’s dog was killed by motorcyclists on his street in Seaford Meadows. Picture: AAP Image/ Morgan Sette.

Hurtle Vale state Labor MP Nat Cook has been working with Onkaparinga to find a location suitable for a dirt bike park, which she hopes will encourage riders to stay away from suburban parks and streets.

Onkaparinga Council city operations director Kirk Richardson said it was the first time he had heard of hooning in the reserve but that the surrounding area along Christies Creek had been identified as a hotspot.

“Because of the reserve’s size, multiple access points and the need to ensure access for walkers and cyclists, installing an effective barrier would be very difficult,” Mr Richardson said.

“Should residents observe any unlawful motorbike riding on a reserve, it’s recommended they contact their local neighbourhood policing team in the first instance or alternatively the Police Communications Centre on 131 444.

“Residents can also contact us and we’ll liaise with SAPOL.”