Gunnedah Lion's Park plants stolen, damaged

Agapanthus, snow drops and gazanias were all been damaged in the Gunnedah Lion's Park when someone tried to uproot the plants to steal them.

Club treasurer Shirley Palmer said it was "really disheartening" that someone would try and "pinch" the plants from the gardens, which are the result of the club's hard work and effort.

"Someone has been trying to pull them out by the roots, but the roots were a bit solid so they just damaged the plants instead," she said.

"We volunteer our time, we pay for our plants, we propagate them and transplant them.

"It's not like council pays for it; we do it voluntarily."

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The club has been looking after the plots of gardens in the park for about 30 years now, and member Helen Murrell said it wasn't the first time they'd been targeted by plant thieves.

Her plot was targeted on Sunday and a number of her plants stolen.

"It's really depressing," Ms Murrell told the NVI.

"It's not kids, it's not hooligans - it's people our age, gardening women.

"You wouldn't think they'd be stealing things, but they jolly well do."

Ms Murrell's plot originally had conifers that "cost a lot of money" and many roses, all of which were stolen.

"We've had troubles for years. There's no security here," Mrs Murrell said.

Gunnedah councillor Colleen Fuller approached the club and said she would see if more cameras could be installed in the area to prevent it from happening again.

It's not the first time plants have been nabbed in town, either.

Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group members were incensed when $500 worth of plants were stolen at Pensioner's Hill in July.