Vandals destroy Lake Aniwhenua facilities

There are concerns for the upcoming summer season, after a popular public bathroom has been destroyed by vandals.

The Lake Aniwhenua restroom facilities was destroyed by vandals during the weekend.

Extensive damage has rendered the facilities unusable, directly prior to the high-use summer season that sees hundreds of visitors through the site.

The vandals, whose identities remain unknown at this stage, removed the basins, toilet seats and wall panels and set fire to much of the building material in the surrounding reserve.

Although insurance will cover some of the remediation work, it is ultimately ratepayers that will foot the bill.

The amenities will be unavailable for at least a month, which means visitors intending to camp there over the long weekend will need to find an alternative location.