Volunteer committee members of the East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee of Management were disappointed to learn a set of newly installed gates on the trail at the Simpsons Creek Road crossing were deliberately rammed by a vehicle on the weekend.
The recently installed gates are part of a multi-million dollar upgrade to the 96km long trail and are designed to prevent illegal vehicular access to the trail, as well as a visual reminder to trail users they are approaching a road crossing and need to slow down and approach the crossing with care.
This latest vandalism comes on the back of a water fountain being deliberately damaged at Mossiface last year shortly after it was installed, and the theft of gates at Joiners Road, Newmerella in March this year.
A reminder the only vehicles permit-ted on the East Gippsland Rail Trail are committee of management vehicles and those approved by the committee (ie contractors working on the trail).
Orbost Police is working with the rail trail committee in an attempt to avoid further damage to the community asset.
Police are investigating the collision damage believed to be caused by a vehicle and other damage caused but recreational motorcyclists.
If you’ve witnessed or know of any details regarding the damage, contact Crimestoppers or 000.

IMAGE: A set of new gates on the East Gippsland Rail Trail were found rammed by a vehicle on the weekend. The recently installed gates are part of an upgrade to the 96km long trail. (PS)