Thieves hit new observatory just days after opening

Just 10 days after Mallanganee’s new observatory officially opened to the public, about $20,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the site, according to Kyogle Council, prompting consideration of increased security measures.

Perched atop the Richmond Range, the Mallanganee Observatory-Lookout has been positioned as a destination for dark sky tourism, with hopes it will attract stargazers and boost visitation numbers in the region.

In a social media post, Kyogle Council said around $20,000 worth of equipment had been taken from the site.

“Offenders forced entry into the rear service corridor in the amenities block and stole essential electrical infrastructure that powers the site, including lighting and water pumps for the toilets,” the post read.

“Around $20,000 worth of equipment has been taken in what appears to be a professional job, leaving uncertainty over when the facility can be fully operational again.”

In the same post, council said the incident would impact the wider community.

“This is not a victimless act,” the post read.

“It directly affects the communities this facility was designed to benefit, from local residents to visitors and nearby businesses, and it diverts limited council resources away from other much-needed services.”

Kyogle Council mayor Danielle Mulholland said the incident occurred exactly 10 days after the observatory’s official launch on 24 April and had affected the small community, which had waited more than a decade to see the project come to life.

“This project was a finalist in the World Architecture Awards judged at the World Architecture Festival,” she said.

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity project and for a small community like Mallanganee, had the potential to create a tourism experience which would see an economic benefit flow to this and other villages.”

“They waited over a decade for this project only to have it vandalised and equipment stolen as quickly as you can snap your fingers.”

Mulholland said that prior to the incident, the observatory had received an overwhelmingly positive response from locals and visitors across the region.

“We had quite the crowd at the official launch and the feedback was really positive,” she said.

“We had people across the region taking note and planning a trip to see the observatory at night as it is positioned directly under the Milky Way.”

“Now, we have to consider the security of the site, what that will look like and how it will be managed.”

Mulholland said community feedback to the incident had been one of “disappointment and anger”, with residents already suggesting additional security measures for the site.

“When we find the money to replace the equipment, the community has already provided feedback about securing the site through measures such as security cameras and cages for the water pump,” she said.

Kyogle Council has said the incident has been reported to NSW Police.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.