Blacktown Council is offering a reward in a bid to stop the trend of bins being set on fire in Blacktown.
Blacktown Council is offering a $2500 reward to combat vandalism of its garbage bins.
A council spokeswoman said about 250 bins were damaged or destroyed last year.
They included 72 which were set alight and had to be replaced at a cost of about $60,000 a year.
The worst affected suburbs were Doonside, Seven Hills and Mt Druitt.
A spokeswoman said the council would pay up to $2500 to residents who help fight vandalism.
A recent report said Blacktown police received an average of four cases of burnt bins each week.
‘‘Those interested in the reward must report the incident to police and the offender must be charged and found guilty in court.
‘‘They can then submit a claim to the council for the reward,’’ she said.
‘‘On average some 250 bins are vandalised and 150 needed to be replaced.
‘‘They include about 12 bins in the CBD areas and 60 in other areas.’’
She said council would receive an average of two to four repair or maintenance requests per week and an average of one burnt-out bin.
‘‘A Gossi bin costs $2500 and 12 replacements of such bin per year amounts to $30,000,’’ the spokeswoman said.
‘‘A Be Tidy Bin costs $200 each and 150 replacements per year would cost $30,000 — hence the total cost for the two types is $60,000 per year.’’
She said vandalising bins by fire or other means was a crime which cost ratepayers many thousands of dollars per year.
‘‘It ties up council resources, causes inconvenience to the community, portrays a negative image of the area and can impact on the resources or other agencies such as police and the fire department.’’
She called on residents to be vigilant and report such anti-social behaviour to their police.