New turf hit weeks before fence

New turf was ripped up at Denmark’s McLean Park just weeks before a perimeter fence was due to be installed to stop vehicle access.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with reckless driving after allegedly damaging the new turf at the redeveloped oval at the weekend.

Shire of Denmark corporate and community services director Cary Green said the damage was done weeks before the perimeter fence was due to go in.

Bollards are currently erected at the northern and southern ends of the oval, as well as a temporary fence to act as a deterrent.

Mr Green said a 90cm galvanised steel fence would be installed in the coming weeks, as part of McLean Park’s $1 million redevelopment.

“It’s dual purpose — to define the oval area and to also act as a deterrence to keep people off it,” Mr Green said.

He said the council hoped the works would be completed within “the next couple of weeks”.

“It’s just a matter of getting the contractors out there to do the works,” he said.

“It’ll be very similar to what Railways and those sorts of ovals have ... it’s sort of at hip height, so it doesn’t impair vision but acts as good perimeter fencing.”

Mr Green said the damaged turf looked “pretty average”.

“It’s a community oval, it’s a community place and something we’re extremely proud of since it’s been resurfaced,” he said.

“It’s pretty disappointing.”