Vandals torch drilling machine

JONATHAN CAMERON/Manawatu Standard

DESTROYED: What remains of the $750,000 directional drill thanks to an arsonist.

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A Palmerston North construction company has had a $750,000 drilling machine torched and the industry says vandalism and theft of equipment is on the rise across the country, costing businesses millions each year.

Blackley Construction had been working to install a water main running along the Manawatu River near the Fitzherbert Avenue bridge, using a directional drill - the only one of its kind in the country.

The machine was set on fire about 9.25pm on Sunday on the Esplanade walking track.

Operations manager Kevin Bush said the drill was an integral piece of equipment and the arson would likely trigger a change in the company's protocols.

"We get hit about once a month I'd say. Not this big, but generally something will be targeted," Mr Bush said.

"We can't afford to lose this sort of machinery so it's likely we will have to just pack up sites like this and take the gear home. The transport costs and time will just have to be charged on."

Mr Bush said vandals have become more audacious.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing they won't have a go at these days."

It was expected the drilling would be finished tomorrow, but will now likely take until Thursday as another, smaller, machine had to be brought in from Hawke's Bay to complete the job.

Managing director Graeme Blackley said the drill was to do three further jobs and the arson attack has caused a few headaches for the company.

"This is not a car. This is a very expensive piece of machinery and we can't just jump on down to Hirepool and rent one," he said.

"But we have a job to do and we will find ways to do it." Contractors' Federation technical adviser Malcolm Abernethy said arson and vandalism were becoming far too common for construction companies across the country.

The damage caused each year was in the millions, he said.

"Every night something probably happens but it's not always reported.

"There are stories of machines being taken to do work out the back of farms in the middle of the night and so some companies install GPS systems to see if they're moving when they shouldn't be," Mr Abernethy said.

"These days it's a sad reality that vandalism is simply factored in as a cost of business."

Fire Service station officer Richard Harley said the drill was "fairly scorched" by the time firefighters arrived. They had some trouble reaching the scene but easily extinguished the blaze once there, he said.

Fortunately, the flames had not spread to the surrounding bush and only a few leaves hanging overhead were singed.

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