BY DAN RYAN
Burnouts, drag racing and unregistered vehicles have turned a site dedicated to the peaceful remembrance of lives lost into a potentially deadly racing circuit.
The Cowra Prisoner of War Camp and Peace Precinct, a loop along Evans Street, Sakura Avenue and Binni Creek Road, has been defaced with tyre marks cutting deep into the side of the road and well cared for lawns.
The Cowra Guardian has heard from concerned residents who have witnessed unregistered vehicles, speeding and aggressive driving along the route, which is marked at 40 kilometres per hour within the peace precinct, and 50km/h along local roads.
A spokesperson for New South Wales Police encouraged those with evidence of the crimes to attend Cowra Police Station, to help build a better understanding of dangerous drivers’ habits and movements through formal reports.
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“Officers from Chifley Police District have received reports of illegal street racing and these incidents have been investigated,” she said.
“Police encourage anyone with information in relation to illegal street racing or unregistered vehicles to come forward and make a formal report at the police station and provide any dashcam/footage if they can.”
Cowra Council confirmed that staff ‘liaising closely’ with local police across the Peace Precinct, but that it was a matter for police.
“Council has been and continues to advocate for the provision of a 24hr Police Station,” they said.
With many of the dangerous driving and hooning incidents occurring after hours and even late into the night, NSW Police reassured residents that there were always eyes on the roads, and a patrol car at hand if needed.
“Police stations in Regional NSW have a range of operating hours including 24/7 stations and smaller sector stations operating around service demand and community need,” a spokesperson said.
“The community can be assured that all police vehicles serve as mobile police stations and can respond based on demand.”
Neither spokesperson would be drawn on the efficacy of installing CCTV or monitoring systems at the site, and Cowra Council confirmed there were no plans to upgrade security or monitoring across the Peace Precinct, despite the recent damage to cherry blossom trees.
“There are no plans to install CCTV in the area,” a council spokesperson said.
