Australia Day revellers trash Edwards Park in Port Melbourne

CHILDREN were forced away from a popular Port Melbourne playground after drunk “weed smoking” Australia Day revellers covered “every possible surface” in graffiti.

A shelter shed at the park was covered in graffiti. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A POPULAR playground in Port Melbourne was left with a trashy hangover after Australia Day revellers went on a “costly” vandalism spree.

Kids were unable to play because paint on the equipment was still wet. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, told the Leader “every possible surface” at Edwards Park was covered in freshly sprayed graffiti when he attended on January 27, forcing children to play elsewhere.

“Kids couldn’t play there because the paint was still wet,” he said.

“It’s a pram traffic jam there most days but they all had to find somewhere else to go.”

The resident, who reported the incident to police, said teenagers had spent Australia Day afternoon in the gazebo at Edwards Park “throwing bottles, smoking weed and drinking” ahead of the spray paint attack.

“I suppose at least they were courteous enough to put the spray cans in the bin,” he said.

Steven O'Brien painting over the damaged gazebo walls. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Port Phillip Mayor Bernadene Voss said the graffiti at the park was “extensive and appalling” and would not be tolerated by the council.

“The damage represents a costly burden on the council and our ratepayers,” she said.

The clean-up bill was not known but over the past few years the council has spent $330,000 on average removing graffiti from private and public places.

“Offenders need to understand their acts of vandalism have social, environmental and economic impacts for residents and local neighbourhoods,” she said.

Contractors removed the graffiti last Wednesday morning and evidence collected by council staff would be referred to the police, Cr Voss said.

South Melbourne police are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.