Ratepayers are footing the bill for reckless, wasteful and unacceptable vandalism at community facilities, according to Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss.

Cr Goss called for the community to work together to stop the alarming and ongoing vandalism, with sporting clubs the hardest hit.
As reported in last week's Gazette, youths on monkey bikes allegedly rode onto and damaged a cricket pitch at Bellbird Park in Drouin on Wednesday, February 19.
Police reported the criminal damage at the Settlement Rd reserve occurred between noon and 2.30pm, damaging the synthetic wicket and turf.
Baw Baw Shire said locations such as Bellbird Park had increasingly become the target of vandalism, reporting a rise in damage to ground, cricket nets, goal posts, fencing and facility walls and doors across its facilities in the past two years. New facilities were often the target.
In addition, some clubrooms, storage sheds and canteens had been broken into, raided or robbed, with one club reporting the theft of a life-saving defibrillator.
"This type of illegal vandalism is reckless, wasteful and unacceptable leaving ratepayers footing the bill for repairs," Cr Goss said.
Council said the cost to repair damage and replace stolen or damaged equipment was well into the tens of thousands of dollars, taking vital funds away from council's community services and projects.
"Council is doing everything in its power to prevent this type of behaviour and fix the damage as needed," Cr Goss added. "However, it's time to call out this illegal behaviour."
"Vandalism and theft are not in the spirit of the Baw Baw Shire community. So let's work together to put a stop to this alarming trend."
In addition to this vandalism causing significant resourcing and administrative burdens on council and sporting clubs, such repairs can often by lengthy and complex. Additionally, user groups and ultimately players suffer disruptions to training and game days long after the damage is done.
In addition to increasing security and protection at facilities, Baw Baw Shire is requesting community support.
Any criminal behaviour, including vandalism, should be reported to Victoria Police.
If you discover vandalism at a council venue and a crime is not in progress, send a "Snap Send Solve" or contact a customer service centre to report it.