AusLeisure

10 solar panels worth more than $20,000 have been taken from the roof of the Sapphire Aquatic Centre at Pambula on the NSW south coast.

The Mayor of the Bega Valley Shire Council, Tony Allen, says he is horrified at the theft from the community-run swimming facility saying that the robbery seemed to have been planned and calculated.

Mayor Allen stated "it really does call into question whether you should give so much of your time voluntarily to a project and then have it desecrated.

"In this case, the amount of work and time needed to take those panels - it was obviously very well thought out."

A police investigation is underway and people are being encouraged to come forward with information.

Mayor Allen says he is confident those responsible will be caught, adding "the community will rally (and) I just hope that the people are found.

"Anyone in the community who has a lead should take that to the police, so the people responsible are found and suitably punished."

A member of the Pool Board and the Pambula Rotary Club, Daryl Dobson, says there's already speculation into how the panels went missing telling ABC Radio "we have our theory, because you need a special key to get into the inverter boxes.

"You would need a good knowledge of electricity because you can get a very nasty shock if the wires are cut.

"They haven't been undone, they've been cut with pliers or wire cutters."

The Centre celebrated its first birthday late last year and is currently looking to fill the position of Pool Manager.

For details go to www.sapphireaquatic.com.au 

18th June 2010 - KEY APPOINTMENTS PENDING FOR SAPPHIRE AQUATIC CENTRE

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