NPWS Upper Hunter Area manager Dave Brown said park staff was disappointed to find facilities had been vandalised at the popular Washpools Camping Area, on Saturday, February 6.

“In this latest attack, vandals graffitied the visitor information shelter, burnt plastic onto barbeque plates making them unuseable for other visitors until staff could clean the mess left behind.

“A large fire had also been lit outside the established fireplaces which are provided to help reduce the risk of camping fires escaping and becoming a wildfire,” Mr Brown said.

“Vehicles spinning their wheels also tore up large sections of the camping area,” he said.

Mr Brown said the latest vandalism, followed incidents in October where vandals caused more than $3000 damage in the park.

“Over the past two years NPWS has carried out significant improvements to the Washpool Camping Area including a new causeway for better access, and an upgrade to picnic facilities involving the installation of new barbecues and picnic tables,” he said.

“The Washpools Camping Area is enjoyed by many Upper Hunter locals as well as visitors to the area, and it is disappointing to think that their experience may be ruined unnecessarily by a few irresponsible individuals.”

People with any information regarding vandalism in Towarri National Park are asked to contact Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000, Scone Police on 6544 0199 or the local NPWS office in Scone, 6540 2300. Or the NPWS regional office in Port Stephens, 4984 8200.