Thread: Long Plain Hut, Kosciuszko NP

The Land Rover Club of the ACT has for many years been responsible for the maintenance of Long Plain Hut in Kosciuszko NP. The club undertakes this role through its membership of the Kosciuszko Huts Association. Sadly Long Plain hut was extensively vandalised last Saturday. The news release from the NSW NPWS reads:

NPWS and Police look for historic hut vandals

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff at Tumut have expressed outrage over a weekend in which more than $10,000 damage was done to two historic huts in the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park.

The popular Long Plain Hut, also known as Campbells Hut, was attacked by vandals sometime over the weekend, as was Matthews Hut some 20km to the south on the Snowy Mountains Highway at Kiandra.

NPWS Ranger, Megan Bowden, today described the damage as significant.

“Generally the huts are safe from vandals but this weekend they have really done some terrible damage at Long Plain, ripping an entire wall off the weatherboard building, smashing windows as well as leaving smashed bottles and damaged parks signs.

“A nearby stream bank has also been trashed. At Matthews Hut two windows have been broken.

“The NPWS and volunteers, as well as families with strong connections to these huts, put a lot of effort and care into maintaining them. To have this happen to these huts is quite upsetting for everyone.

“We believe the damage was inflicted Saturday evening.

“We are hoping to question four men about 20-25 years of age who were seen camping at Long Plain with a crew cab ute with aluminium sides, carrying a large gas BBQ on the back plus a blue-green motorbike and a ride-on lawnmower.

“Other park visitors are alleged to have been harassed by the group which were also alleged to have been driving recklessly around the camping area.

“”Trees were cut down plus creek banks and lawns were damaged by vehicles, while a fire was left burning along with bottles and cans left lying around,” Ms Bowden said.

Long Plain Homestead also known as Campbells, Oddy’s, or Ibbotsons was built in 1916 by Bobby Joyce for Dr Campbell on Long Plain Road near Rules Point on the Snowy Mountains Highway.

The hut was used by graziers in the summer months and trappers in the winter months as well as being used as a dance hall. Mining operations were also undertaken nearby.

Ms Bowden said that NPWS officers had just re-roofed the hut last year and volunteers from the Land Rover Club have been caretaking the hut for many years.

“Repairing this damage is going to take time/money as the weatherboards have to be specially milled as they have a tapered profile. These huts are two of seventy we have in KNP but each is unique and are significant examples of vernacular bush architecture.

A black and blue cap was left at the scene. Police and NPWS are continuing investigations.

Media contact – Stuart Cohen
02 62297126 or 0429 771601
stuart.cohen@environment.nsw.gov.au


Link for photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nswnationalparks/sets/72157626213037726/

The Land Rover Club of the ACT is already considering repair to this mindless damage.

Cheers
KarlB

Perhaps yobs should be included in the list of feral animals for culling in national parks.