Marabou Park rises from the ashes
Date published: 25 March 2022
Playground equipment at a much-loved Annandale park has been rebuilt after vandals set fire to it in July last year.
The deliberately lit fire at Marabou Park caused more than $75,000 in damages and left the playground equipment unusable.
The playground is now open after specialist contractors engaged by Townsville City Council finished installing the new equipment recently.
Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino has thanked the community for their patience while the work was carried out.
‘Unfortunately, like a lot of projects, COVID-19 caused significant delays to the rebuilding of this well-used playground,” Cr Molachino said.
“Council has been unable to carry out the repairs as quickly as it would have liked because of challenges in sourcing new playground equipment as well as delays in delivery.
“The new playground is great news for those people who regularly use the park that they can enjoy the equipment once again.”
Divisional councillor Suzy Batkovic said the destruction of the equipment was upsetting for regular users of the park.
“It was a senseless act and left many nearby residents and users upset.
“I am sure many in the community are relieved to see the safety fencing come down and to be able to use the playground again,” Cr Batkovic said.
