Austinmer Surf Club outrage

Austinmer Surf Club member Jan Wilton inspects some of the damage.

INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into a vandalism attack on Austinmer Surf Club last week that caused in excess of $8,000 damage.

The vandalism adds to Wollongong City Council's mounting repair bills to public buildings. Over $449,000 has been spent removing graffiti and repairing malicious damage across the city since January.

Austinmer Surf club members were devastated to find their premises trashed in the early hours of Thursday morning. Windows were shattered, doors forced open and vital safety equipment damaged in the senseless spree.

"It's hard to put a monetary value on what damage has been done," Austinmer Surf Club life member Jan Wilton said.

"I was on the original building committee that rebuilt the club in 1992 and it is so disappointing to see it vandalised like this," he said.

Mr Wilton has been a member of the Austinmer club for over 50 years and cannot understand why vandals would target his beloved club.

"This is a community building, here to save lives. This is just so senseless," he said.

"The place is lit up like a Christmas tree at night to deter vandalism."

Mr Wilton believes the vandals used iron bars or similar implements to smash the club's windows.

"The windows are made from toughened reinforced glass and a lot of effort would be needed to do this type of damage," he said.

Wollongong City Council's assistant recreation manager Jon Gibbs said the building had been completely ransacked.

"As far as we can see nothing of any value has been stolen," Mr Gibbs said.

"Some beer was stolen from the bar area, but two-way radios were found smashed on the beach," he said.

"Our staff were at the scene from 4.30am on the day. Glaziers, electricians and council staff had the building back in working order by 3.30 that afternoon. It was an excellent effort by staff."

Mr Gibbs said he couldn't recall an attack of this magnitude on Austinmer Surf Club.

"It's the ratepayers who ultimately pay for this.

It's money down the drain that could better be spent elsewhere. It's just a ridiculous act," he said.

A Wollongong Police spokesperson said a group of males were detained and questioned in the area around the time of the incident and inquiries were continuing.