Auckland downhill mountain bike club hit by diesel theft at new park

An Auckland mountain biking club has received a “kick in the teeth” after thieves stole 200 litres of diesel from a digger being used to build their bike tracks.

Auckland Downhill Club volunteer Josh Foff Boucher said it was “gutting” for the community to lose the $700 of fuel.

It comes amid a spiralling fuel crisis, with diesel spiking to over $3.50 a litre and reports of fuel thefts.

The club had just been forced from their park in North Auckland’s Dome Valley to make way for a new motorway.

A forestry company with land on the valley’s other side had clear-felled a plot and offered it for use, although it was covered in debris.

The club had a working bee on March 28 with around 30 volunteers to clear slash “to save ourselves a bit of money”.

“One of the local dads has offered up his weekend to clear a bunch of slash on-site just so we can prepare to set up the new park,” Boucher said.

A view of the digger and the forestry slash. Photo / Josh Foff Boucher

But thieves came and stole the diesel sometime after Wednesday.

“We were paying for the fuel and someone has siphoned it out of the digger,” Boucher said.

“Obviously the hardest part is getting the tracks out of the ground, and we’re not off to a great start, unfortunately.”

He said the club plans to lodge a report about the theft with police.

The digger getting the ground ready. Photo / Josh Foff Boucher

It comes after a Waikato solo mum of three was left without a car when thieves drilled a hole in her fuel tank and drained all the petrol.

Rahema Lingman, 25, of Hamilton, was in tears after what she says shows the “extreme lengths” some people will go to amid high fuel prices.

“I’m left with this huge bill, struggling to get my kids to school and kindy, and then also finding a way to get myself to class every day.

“It sucks.”

The hole that someone drilled through in Hamilton resident Rahema Lingman's car fuel tank to steal all her petrol.

Police have previously said they understand the global fuel situation is making people nervous and there is concern of an increase in fuel theft.

“Police is watching closely for any trends around fuel theft and associated offences,” Assistant Commissioner Road Policing and District Support Tusha Penny said in a statement.

“Police will remain visible in our communities and will respond to any incidents as they arise.”

Meanwhile, Boucher is positive about progress for the track.

“We’re pretty early in the piece, but best case we’d be open by the end of the year.”

The “best case” comes down to securing funding. The volunteers will do all they can to clear tracks themselves before the trails are built by South Star Trails – one of New Zealand’s top trail builders.

“We’re probably up for about $100,000 to get the track done.”

The good news, Boucher said, is they won’t have to move for at least another 20 years until the trees are cut down again.