Kids’ ‘luxury cubby’ in millionaire suburb leaves council with huge bill

A group of cheeky kids have built what’s been described as an “elaborate” illegal cubby in one of Perth’s ritziest suburbs – but their bushland hide-out has ended up costing ratepayers thousands.

The makeshift bush retreat, perched above Swan River up Dalkeith’s Point Resolution Reserve – just metres from multimillion-dollar homes – featured wind protection, an awning strung between trees and milk crate seating.

But while locals admitted it was an impressive effort, the cubby sparked complaints after new plantings were ripped out to make space for the hide-out.

Rangers were told a group of 12 to 15-year-olds – some reportedly dropped off in Porsche – were behind the construction.

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An illegal cubby constructed earlier this month in Point Resolution Reserve, Perth, caused thousands of dollars worth of damage. Source: Yahoo News

Numerous bamboo stakes supporting new plants were removed from the area around the cubby. Pictured are similar stakes the City of Nedlands installed a few years ago. Source: City of Nedlands/Google

According to a City of Nedlands spokesperson, the incident raised concerns about potential for further vandalism and the impact on the overall amenity of the reserve, a key selling point for properties in the area.

PropTrack data shows Dalkeith has a median house price of $3.5m.

However, homes on the river sell upwards of $9m, REA listings data shows.

“It caused thousands of dollars in damage – that’s reached by how many stakes were pulled out, but also the time and energy needed by not only the rangers, but the parks and gardens crew as well having to go down rehabilitate,” the spokesperson said.

While it’s not uncommon to see such hideouts constructed around the river, this one in particular was “quite elaborate”.

“It’s always been a popular haunt for kids to put cubby houses,” the spokesperson said.

“The difference with this one is they caused damage.”

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Dalkeith is one of WA’s most expensive suburbs with the average home selling for $3.5m+.

Adding a touch of satire to the situation, local real estate agent Jamie Harrington from Hub Residential, took the opportunity to poke fun at the latest ‘property’ to hit the market.

“Why settle for four walls when you can have nature’s open plan?” he said, according to the POST, a locally-owned newspaper.

“This newly built bushland retreat features industrial-style seating, no strata fees, year-round alfresco dining and uninterrupted water views!”

While the teenagers responsible for the cubby could face littering fines, a lack of photographic evidence has so far made their involvement hard to prove.

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