Sydney milestone stolen, historian fears it's lost forever

A historic concrete mile peg, which had stood for 70 years on the corner of Camden Valley Way in Sydney's Prestons, has been stolen. The L4 Mile Peg, marked with 'L4' and 'C13' to indicate distances to Liverpool and Camden respectively, was the last surviving marker of its kind in the area.

Glen op den Brouw, president of the City of Liverpool and District Historical Society, expressed his dismay at the theft. He had spent years trying to get the mile peg recognized and heritage listed. "I'm still trying to deal with the fact that it's gone missing," he told the ABC. "The fact it may never see the light of day again, and it's just probably for no good reason, but some idiot who decided to take it."

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I'm still trying to deal with the fact that it's gone missing. The fact it may never see the light of day again, and it's just probably for no good reason, but some idiot who decided to take it.

During the 1940s, drivers relied on such mile pegs along the Old Hume Highway. While they largely disappeared after metrication in 1974 and the construction of newer roads, they retained significant heritage value. Op den Brouw mentioned that stolen mile pegs have occasionally been found in backyards or rehomed at local museums after being accidentally damaged.

He made a plea for the peg's return, stating that "no questions asked" would be asked and "all would be forgiven" if it were brought back. "Why be so selfish and greedy? The thing's been there for 70 years…it was a piece of heritage," he said. A Transport for NSW spokesperson stated the department had not removed the marker and is investigating the incident.

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Why be so selfish and greedy? The thing's been there for 70 years…it was a piece of heritage.