Warrnambool Community Garden members have been left devastated by a series of thefts from their locked storage shed over the past two weeks.

“Thieves have stolen every power tool we own and all our whipper-snippers which we purchased over a number of years with funds raised by our members” said Rob Porter, the Warrnambool Community Garden Convenor.

“We use the equipment to keep the garden well maintained and safe for members and market-goers, we’ve lost thousands of dollars of tools and equipment"

"We are really disappointed and it’s going to be a struggle to replace them in the short term.”

Following an attempted break-in late last year the Garden committee realised the need for more secure storage, and In June 2020 were donated the funds to buy a secure shipping container by the A L Lane Foundation.

The Community Gardens have been left dissapointed, in a hold up with council that has seen the shipping container unable to be moved onsite at this stage.

“It’s frustrating for volunteers to be in this position where we have lost almost $5000 worth of equipment when we were ready to upgrade to more secure storage mid year"

Mr Porter stressed that the Community Garden has a good relationship with Council, but the hold up had been frustrating.

“We need immediate action by Council so we can move the shipping container on site to enable safe and secure storage of our valuable equipment, the delays so far have cost us dearly.”.