Frustration grows as $2,000 worth of plants stolen over 6 months

Council staff and contractors are becoming increasingly frustrated as their efforts to beautify the district’s town centre, parks, and reserves are being undermined by plant thieves.

Over the past six months, stolen plants have amounted to a wholesale value of more than $2,000.

Parks and Reserves Officer Melanie McBain says it’s clear that popular garden flowers are being deliberately uprooted from public areas by thieves, either for use in private gardens or to be sold.

“Our team has worked hard to make Stratford’s parks some of the best in the district, and we’ve had great feedback from the community about how beautiful our public spaces and garden beds are looking,” says Melanie.

That’s why it’s so disheartening to see plant theft at the level we’re experiencing now. We can’t recall it ever being this bad, and it’s coming at a real cost to our ratepayers.”

Plants have most recently gone missing from King Edward and Victoria Parks, as well as from around the Centennial Rest Rooms and War Memorial Centre.

Melanie says, “If you see suspicious activity around planted areas in public spaces, or notice plants are missing, please call us straight away on 06 765 6099 - day or night. You can also report it through our free Antenno app and include photos.”

“If someone is further damaging public property, please call 105, the Police non-emergency number. Thanks for helping us look after our shared spaces.”