Mt Barker police call for information on $3000 damage to newly opened mountain bike network Pwakkenbak Trails

Less than six months after it was opened, vandals have caused an estimated $3000 damage to Mt Barker’s Pwakkenbak Trails.

Mt Barker police say signage, bike rack, a wheel stop and the surface of the road at the mountain bike trail’s Tower Hill carpark have been wrecked.

Distinct tyre marks can be seen on the buckled sign.

The damage was reported to police by Shire of Plantagenet staff on Monday morning after they completed the weekly morning check.

Mt Barker officer-in-charge Sgt David Swain said the vandalism was believed to have been caused by a car sometime between Friday evening and Monday morning.

“It’s quite disappointing to see in our community as it’s only been open for a very short period of time,” he said.

“It has been designed for people to get out and about and use recreationally and it’s just senseless damage.

“These things might restrict shires and organisations from supporting these sorts of projects in the future.”

Sgt Swain said the incident could have posed a risk to weekend bikers or pedestrians if it occurred during daylight hours.

The Pwakkenbak Trails are a 10km network of mountain bike trails created through a partnership between the Shire of Plantagenet and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and lobbied for by the Mt Barker mountain biking community.

It opened in March this year.

Mt Barker police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call them directly on 9851 5200.

The trails remain open.