The destruction could have been much worse, but staff members cut power to buildings to prevent machinery from being started.

Magistrate Ian Watkins said there was no question it was “appalling behaviour” during a hearing on Tuesday.

“That’s a lot of money the taxpayers’ had to pay,” he said.

The chaos started about 2pm on March 7 when a group of five youths ran from staff members while being escorted from a program centre to their accommodation unit.

One teenager was quickly apprehended and locked in his bedroom without incident.

But the other four scaled a fence and climbed onto the roof of the accommodation unit and started ripping off antennas, which they used to smash windows, air vents and skylights.

They also kicked in cladding and gables before gaining access to a roof cavity and smashing up the southbank unit.

Light fittings, security cameras and ceilings were smashed in various buildings. The group used ceiling vents to lift two others from their bedrooms and they joined in the destruction.

A Border teenager was caught on CCTV throwing cement sheeting at police below.

He was joined by another Border youth when they spray painted their names and postcodes on the roof.

Metal poles were used to poke holes on the roof of the program centre.

A staff member had to use their protective shield after cement sheeting was thrown at them while they climbed a ladder.

Multiple buildings were targeted, leaving a trail of damage.

They used a Nikon Coolpix camera stolen during the rampage to take photos of themselves on a roof, with police visible in the background.

Mr Watkins heard one of the Border teenagers had served some time in custody and was placed on probation in August. 

The 17-year-old participated in the riot but was not one of the leaders, and was cut climbing through a window.  

He has been referred to Aboriginal mentoring and is taking part in programs.

Mr Watkins placed the teenager on a youth supervision order.