“Reckless” cable theft to cause unknown delays in “vital” community sporting project

Contractors have been getting serious about security after they claim thieves and vandals have targeted work sites. Here’s how it’s impacted 600 sports-loving kids.

Adrian Granger from Kelly Civil Contracting with Mayor of Glenorchy Sue Hickey, Metro club president Simon Land, and Federal member for Clark Andrew Wilkie surveying the works at Metro soccer club in Chigwell where building supplies have been stolen. Picture: Linda Higginson

Construction companies are being forced to employ security staff for as much as $700 a night to curb worksite thefts in the state’s South.

Repeated thefts from a new soccer hub being built at Chigwell is an example that worksite theft is on the rise in Tasmania, contractors say.

Kelly Civil Contracting was engaged by the Glenorchy City Council to build clubrooms and change rooms at the North Chigwell soccer hub.

The firm’s owner Adrian Granger said they started the project a couple of months ago and although they have done everything possible to stymie trespassers, recurring thefts were costing time and money.

Adrian Granger from Kelly Civil Contracting. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Not only are we battling the weather but we are battling delays caused by theft,” he said.

Mr Granger said they had put in measures designed to control the threat of trespass or theft, but these were ineffectual.

Mr Granger said even the installation of fences and CCTV cameras were being bypassed.

“People that are dishonest … come through the fences and wear hoodies so they can’t be seen,” he said.

Director of Bennett Construction Jeremy Warren said he had seen a steady increase in instances of worksite thefts since the cost of building materials “went through the roof” two years ago.

He said measures such as fencing, lighting, security systems and cameras had done little to stop thefts.

“There is ample time for the thieves and vandals to leave the site before police arrive – alarms don’t seem to worry them,” he said.

Mr Warren said the company had employed overnight security costing more than $700 a night because it was the only way to stop vandals and thieves.

He said recently projects in Glenorchy had the most losses from theft and vandalism.

Metro soccer club in Chigwell where building supplies have been stolen. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Granger said timber had been targeted in previous unreported thefts at the Chigwell soccer hub site and 500m of specialised cabling was taken in the most recent burglary – causing delays while replacements were ordered.

“It’s disappointing because we see the kids playing on this ground and they are so looking forward to having proper club rooms they can go and get changed in,” he said.

Mr Granger said the thieves were hurting 600 kids for “easy money”.

Tasmania Police said the investigation into the thefts continued. Police ask anyone with information to contact them or crime stoppers and to quote reference OR753831.

“Police are continuing to seek information from the public in relation to the stealing, transportation or possibly the sale of electrical cable,” a spokesperson said.

Mayor of Glenorchy, Sue Hickey. Picture: Linda Higginson

Federal member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie. Picture: Linda Higginson

Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey said it was an appalling thing for the community to have to suffer.

She said the theft was a “reckless and senseless” example of crime that the community simply couldn’t afford.

She said the clubrooms were “vital community infrastructure” that would connect families and communities.

President of Metro Football Club Simon Land said the thefts were disappointing, and further delayed a project that had already “been a long time in the making”.

The hub was funded by the federal government in 2019 and Mr Land said the project would be a “massive improvement” on the soccer facilities available for the community.

Independent member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said thieves were “ripping off the taxpayer, hurting the Metro Club and upsetting the community”.

Originally published as “Reckless” cable theft to cause unknown delays in “vital” community sporting project