Vandals 'putting Matata at risk'

Contractors say vandals are putting the flood-hit Bay of Plenty town of Matata in more danger after five diggers needed to clear away rubble were targeted in three days.

Waiotahi Contractors has worked in the town since the flooding in May last year but on Monday two of its diggers were immobilised.

A 12-tonne machine had its fuel line and electric wiring ripped out, dirt dumped in its fuel tank and its arm hoses cut, and bolt cutters were used to cut through hydraulic hoses and pipes on a 20-tonne machine.

Those attacks followed incidents involving three other machines.

Keys and a radio were stolen from a Waiotahi machine on Friday night and on Saturday night two diggers belonging to J Swap Contractors had their intercoolers stolen.

The theft cost the company $10,000 in lost time and money and managing director David Swap is offering a $2000 reward for information leading to the recovery of parts and the apprehension of offenders.

Waiotahi Contractors Matata works supervisor Henry Claydon said it was obvious the vandals wanted only to disable the machinery, as a stereo in one digger was not touched.

He said it was not the first time workers had been subjected to vandalism and harassment in Matata.

One resident in particular had been very "unhelpful" and "abusive", and on Friday night a contractor was abused by a man as he worked to clear culverts and stop the town flooding.

Mr Claydon said machinery vandalism could have disastrous results.

"If we suddenly had a deluge and someone had tampered with the machines they would be useless ...

"Everyone knows how quickly it can happen and the time it takes to get another machine on site could make all the difference."

Edgecumbe police Senior Constable Dave Pettinger said there was a lot of anger and frustration in the community that was mistakenly being directed at contractors doing their jobs.

Residents were frustrated at the lack of response by Environment Bay of Plenty, Whakatane District Council, the Department of Conservation and Government rail company Ontrack.

But Mr Pettinger said residents could not take the law into their own hands and damage contractors' vehicles.

- NZPA