Illegal New Year’s Eve fireworks damage cricket pitches across Cumberland Council parks

Crater-like holes have wreaked havoc on multiple parks in a second western Sydney community grappling with the aftermath of illegal New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Revellers destroyed cricket pitches across Cumberland on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Facebook

Ratepayers in a second western Sydney council area have been left to count the cost of repairing cricket pitches after illegal fireworks damaged the playing surfaces on New Year’s Eve.

Vandals have destroyed pitches at nine parks in the Cumberland Council area, leaving behind a bill that would be better spent on more “pressing needs” like fixing potholes.

Damage has been inflicted on at least nine parks in the area, including Harry Gapes Park and Horlyck Reserve at South Granville, Greystanes Sports Ground and Bright Park in Guildford, where a 17-year-old boy was stabbed while a group ignited illegal fireworks on December 31.

Hooligans also targeted Merrylands Oval, Everley Park North at Chester Hill, and Nemesia and Daniel street parks in Greystanes.

The extent of the damage can be revealed a day after this publication reported the Canterbury-Bankstown Council was set to spend up to $21,000 fixing cricket pitches damaged by illegal New Year’s Eve fireworks, having already forked out $15,000 cleaning up three public parks.

A hole at Holryck Reserve. Picture: Facebook

Damage done at Harry Gapes Park. Picture: Facebook

Libertarian councillor Steve Christou, who represents the Granville ward on the Cumberland Council, said he had fielded a significant number of complaints about the damage.

He plans to table a motion during the council’s first meeting for the year, on February 26, and called for a report into the number of assets damaged on New Year’s Eve, the total repair bill and how long it took council officers to clean the mess.

Illegal fireworks collected after damage on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Facebook

The motion will also ask what actions had been taken to ensure neighbourhoods were protected against anti-social behaviour, vandalism or “possible criminality”.

The council is still assessing the extent of the damage and the repair bill.

Cumberland Mayor Ola Hamed said despite discussions with police about risks with illegal fireworks in parks since November, the council became aware of the damaged pitches from fireworks that had been ignited on New Year’s Eve.

“The health and safety of our residents is of the utmost importance to us; however, it is also a shared responsibility,’’ she said.

Holryck Reserve was badly hit. Picture: Facebook

Cumberland Council is still assessing the damage bill. Picture: Facebook

“It is disappointing that despite our proactive efforts, a few individuals chose to endanger both themselves and others.

“It is regrettable that public funds must be allocated to repair cricket pitches – funds that could have been used to address other pressing needs, such as fixing potholes and cleaning our streets.’’

She said the council would continue to work with police to prevent repeat offences, including the use of CCTV cameras and bolstering its community education campaign.

While the damage in the neighbouring Parramatta Council area was not as bad, that local government body is likely to spend $10,000 resurfacing a cricket pitch with unauthorised firework damage at West Epping Park.

Small burn marks, likely from fireworks debris, were also discovered at Binalong Park in Old Toongabbie.

“It is expected to cost approximately $1000 to repair, but the turf is still playable,’’ a council spokeswoman said.

Illegal fireworks at a Cumberland Council park. Picture: Facebook

You need a licence to handle and display fireworks in NSW. Picture: Facebook

SafeWork NSW has recorded a worrying increase of illegal fireworks.

“This season has marked one of the most challenging due to an alarming increase in illegal fireworks activity,’’ Trent Curtin, the head of SafeWork NSW, said.

“Despite the efforts of authorities, there was a noticeable surge in unlicensed, unsafe and illegal fireworks, which puts the public at risk.

“If you handle fireworks without a licence, you risk injuring yourself and others, and there are serious consequences.’’

Only those with a NSW pyrotechnicia’sn or single use fireworks licence are permitted to handle fireworks.

People caught illegally handling fireworks without a licence can be issued with on-the-spot fines of $2000 in NSW.

However, penalties soar up to $27,500 for displaying fireworks without a licence.

Meanwhile, selling or purchasing fireworks without a licence carries a maximum fine of $27,000 and jail terms of up to 12 months.