The use of CCTV cameras has worked to a certain extent, with a number of culprits being caught in the act, so to speak, but clearly it isn’t enough to deter this rotten element.

The TRC is doing its best to prevent the late night “shenanigans”, switching off the Wi-Fi, fountains and barbecues in a bid to discourage people from congregating in the area.

But now, a new, late-night taxi rank is on the agenda, with drivers to “man the barricades” from 6 at night, until 6 in the morning.

The rank will be located in the existing loading zone in Kable Ave and is expected to be up and running within the next couple of weeks.

Local taxi drivers have already given the plan the green light, and you’d have to say it’s great news for restaurant goers.

But how did we even get here, to the point where we have to ask our taxi drivers to stand guard over a 

much-loved and rather expensive city asset?

It might be a small, immature group of people causing the damage, but it’s costing the council – and so all of us in the end – big bucks to clean up and repair the broken bits and pieces.

It’s an interesting – and rather innovative  – solution to what would seem to be an ongoing problem, but why, oh why are we even here?

And it’s not just an issue affecting the playground. 

Last week vandals caused $6000 worth of damage to junior sporting fields at Cross Park.

Once again, who picks up the tab? 

We do.

And who misses out? The players.

There’s not a silver bullet to this issue, except to say we all need to be more conscious of the damage this does to our community.