Two information signs from along the Bega River have been stolen in what appears to be a planned theft.
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The signs showed the map of the Bega River Walungari Trial and were removed sometime before Monday, August 12, after being noticed missing that day by a South East Local Land Services member.
Installed on the Old Bega Racecourse pathway and the river's picnic area at the end of Auckland St in Bega last October, the signs were co-funded by Bega Valley Shire Council and Bega River and Wetlands Landcare Group (BRAWL) and will cost $900 to replace.
"It's a shock and it's disappointing. We feel quite upset about it," BRAWL community coordinator Erin Moon said.
"It was months of work to collect the information for the signs!
"I don't know if someone has taken them down to use them for something else or if they found issue with the signs; it's baffling."
Information for the signs was collected from consultations with Djiringanj elders, and the Walungari Trail stretches from Tarraganda to Valley Fields in Bega.
Ms Moon said there was intent behind the thefts as whoever did it had to have taken the right tools along to remove the signs.
Not only were the signs stolen, around the same time bamboo weaving along the Bega River walking track was pulled down and destroyed.
Ms Moon said it was very disappointing to see, especially as the weaving was a community project made during the Bega River Day last year.
There had been "next to no" vandalism along the Bega River before these incidents, she said, as she believed the majority of the community were appreciative of the work that has been conducted to improve the area.
She said police had been alerted to the thefts and were investigating the matter.
A council spokesperson described the incident as "disappointing".
"Our Leisure and Recreation team is organising for the signs to be fabricated (re-printed) and installed," they said.
If you have information regarding the thefts you can contact the Bega Police on 6492 9999.
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