‘Help us stop this’: Vandalism delays opening of new Griffith community hub

August 28, 2026

This Article was first published in Region Riverina on 27 August 2026. Click here to read the full article.

A bin set on fire, windows smashed, fence panels bent and bars ripped out. Play equipment is covered in graffiti while a barbecue has been smeared with glue and rendered unusable.

South Griffith’s new Ngumbaaydyil Community Hub should be open by now, providing mum-and-bub sessions, art classes, driving lessons, basketball and social activities for residents of Argyle Housing’s Griffin Green estate.

Instead, constant acts of graffiti and vandalism have delayed its opening.

Griffith Mayor Doug Curran and Murrumbidgee Police District Inspector Glenn Smith have had enough, appealing to nearby residents to help identify those responsible and put a stop to the damage.

“We’re calling on the community to be our eyes and ears, to let us know when it’s occurring,” Inspector Smith said.

“If they know the identity of the offenders, they can let us know – you can also do so anonymously.

“Give us a call if you see something happening and we can dispatch a car as soon as possible.

“Take notes of what they look like and what they are wearing.

“We have ideas on who could be responsible but we have no evidence at this stage.”

The vandalism is the latest setback for the Ngumbaaydyil Community Hub – a Wiradjuri word meaning a place of gathering.

The hub at Dave Taylor Park in south Griffith has already been caught up in the collapse of the original builder, Sydney-based Greenwich Build, which went into voluntary administration in February 2025.

The project was subsequently stalled for almost 12 months before local builder Michael Dall’Est stepped in to help get it moving again.

Mr Dall’Est also took over construction of Argyle Housing’s townhouses on Wakaden Street, which were hit by their own delays and vandalism before finally being completed and occupied this month.

Inspector Smith said it was particularly frustrating to see the community facility targeted after so much effort had gone into getting the project back on track.

“It’s a great thing that Argyle Housing are doing,” he said.

“We want to stop this damage to get this hub to open sooner rather than later.”

Cr Curran said council would do what it could to prevent further damage.

“It’s really disheartening to see this happening,” he said.

“We have CCTV in other areas and have used it well and we are looking to see if we can have it here.”

A reward is also on offer for information identifying the offenders if it leads to their conviction.

Argyle Housing has already delivered social housing in the estate, with the community hub intended to provide residents with a dedicated space for activities, services and connection.

For now, however, the facility remains closed as police and council work to prevent further damage and identify those responsible.