Sustainable Timber Tasmania vehicles allegedly tampered with
Several vehicles critical to protecting the state from bushfires are temporarily out of service in what Sustainable Timbers Tasmania claim is a targeted attack.
Tasmania
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Several Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) firefighting vehicle fleet had their tyres tampered with, police confirm, in a so-called “deplorable” attack.
STT shared on social media on Wednesday that it had faced a “series of malicious acts” of vehicle tampering on its firefighting fleet in the early hours of Monday morning.
These vehicles – including fire trucks and utes with firefighting apparatus – were parked at their Derwent Park and Hobart offices, with STT sharing security footage of the events with Tasmania Police.
The vehicles have been taken out of service.
“Regardless of opinions on forestry, trespassing and tampering with property is never acceptable,” an STT spokesperson said.
“The safety and security of our employees is our top priority, and these actions pose a direct threat to both.”
In the midst of peak bushfire season, STT said the “fleet is vital to Tasmania’s firefighting efforts”.
“The availability of these vehicles is crucial for protecting our communities and forests.”
Tasmania Police confirmed they were investigating the “report of trespass and motor vehicle interference” at a Sustainable Timbers Tasmania premises.
“Several people have reportedly let air out of tyres of vehicles parked at the premises,” a police spokesperson said.
Tasmania’s Resources and Business Minister Eric Abetz has labelled the tampering “disgraceful”.
“The deplorable attack on STT’s vehicle fleet must be condemned,” he said.
“We are in peak fire season – and these vehicles are vital to our response.
“These actions have put lives at risk.”
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff also condemned the incident and urged anyone with information to “come forward”.
The Public are asked to contact Tasmania Police at 131 444 or reach out to your local police station if they have any further information.
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Originally published as Sustainable Timber Tasmania vehicles allegedly tampered with
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