Staff at the neighbouring Horsham West and Haven Primary School campus noticed a series of burnouts on the field when they arrived at work on Wednesday morning.

Teacher Lee McKenzie said about two-thirds of the oval was covered in burnouts.

Students have been restricted to the school’s small oval since the damage was discovered.

Repair work replaced lunchtime sport and activities.

“We don’t know how long it will be until we’ll be allowed back on it,” Mr McKenzie said. 

“We use it all the time.”

Horsham Rural City Council and police were notified.

Repair costs

Council parks and gardens superintendent Rod Lawson said repairs could cost up to $3000.

He said a recently installed underground sprinkler system was not damaged, but the lawn would require some serious rehabilitation.

“Early next week we’ll inspect it again and see how much top dressing we have to do,” Mr Lawson said.

The reserve has been fenced off to deter further vandalism. 

Haven resident and Horsham councillor Sue Exell said it was a shame access had to be restricted.

“It’s just not going to be as accessible as it was before,” she said.

The reserve was hooked up to the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline for the first time last summer.

Green

“It has been really exciting to have a green field we can use all year round,” Cr Exell said.

“Council and the Haven Recreation Reserve management committee have worked really hard to make it really useable, and groups have been starting to use it.”

She said it was not unusual to see people playing sport or flying kites.

If people or groups wanted to use the reserve now, they would have to ask a committee member such as herself.

Cr Exell said the burnouts looked like the work of several vehicles.

“Because it was wet it has really dug into the grass and done a lot of damage to the surface,” she said.

“We’re just hoping someone might be aware of someone who might have been doing it.”

She said people with any information should call Horsham police on 5382 9200.