The replacement panel has to be especially made for the purpose, and a barrier has been erected with a sign warning the viewing end of the platform is closed until further notice.
Mr Dalton said the vandalism was "soul destroying" for council staff trying to complete amenities on the parade safe and up to standard for visitors and Hawke's Bay's own people.
He said vandalism costs the ratepayers "huge amounts of money," with others area of the parade having been hit drastically in the past.
The nearby Veronica Sunbay had had windows to help create a windbreak so that people could sit around the area in comfort, but repeated vandalism meant there are "no windows anymore - they took them out."
People owe it to themselves and the city to report anti-social behaviour, but the maximum penalties of three months' prison and/or a fine of $2000 for wilful damage are "remarkably weak," and then rarely imposed, he said
"But we've got to catch them first," he said.
It was unclear last night if police had any particular suspects.
