Jason Cyril Mahar, 41, appeared in Port Kembla Local Court on Saturday charged over the thefts, between January 2 and January 3.

Prosecutor Coby Davis told the court that Mahar was on bail for another matter when the offence was alleged to have occurred.

She pointed to Mahar's prior history of dishonesty and property offences and the "strong" prosecution case against him as reasons to refuse him bail.

Investigating police charged Mahar after examining fingerprints found on the inside roller door to the Illawarra Live Steamers premises.

The prints were in a place consistent with someone having lifted the roller door, but Mahar was not a club member and did not have permission to enter the property, the court heard.

Members of the hobby club had been working at the Virginia Street site on January 2.

The next morning they noticed equipment including two lawnmowers, a whipper snipper, a generator, fuel drums and copper wire missing.

The club is seeking compensation of $4130.

Mahar's lawyer, Elizabeth Parkes, told registrar Peter Ritchie that her client had significant caring responsibility for his mother and father and would reside with his mother if he were given bail.

But Mr Ritchie noted Mahar, of Keiraville, had not been involved in his mother's at-home care before his arrest.

Mr Ritchie adjourned the matter to Port Kembla Local Court on February 2.