This industrial material was recently discovered after it was illegally dumped in the Tumut State Forest. Photos: Forestry Corporation.
A large amount of industrial waste was recently discovered illegally dumped in a forest in the Snowy Valleys.
The discovery has prompted the forest’s caretakers to issue a plea to the community about helping them catch illegal dumpers.
Late last week, a Forestry Corporation spokesperson said its staff had recently discovered a large quantity of industrial cable conduit dumped in Tumut State Forest.
The cable had been stripped of its copper wiring.
The corporation spokesperson said staff collected the waste, loaded it onto a trailer and took it to a local landfill for safe disposal.
The forest is located between the town of Tumut and Blowering Dam and is a popular area used for bushwalking, mountain biking and trail bike riding.
“The incident has been formally reported through RIDonline, the NSW Government’s illegal dumping reporting system,” the corporation spokesperson said.
Forestry Corporation’s cultural heritage ranger Jeremiah Freeman said most people enjoyed Tumut State Forest respectfully, but illegal dumping like this spoiled the environment for everyone.
“This was a significant amount of industrial waste and it appears to have come from a commercial source,” he said.
“We actively monitor our forests and anyone caught dumping will face serious penalties.”
Mr Freeman said the corporation was asking the community to report anything suspicious in state forests.
“If you see unusual activity, vehicle movements at odd hours, or evidence of dumping, please report it,” he said.
“We thank the community for their vigilance and support.”
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority says the maximum fines for larger-scale waste dumping are $500,000 for an individual and $2 million for a corporation.
To report illegally dumped waste, visit RIDonline by clicking here.
RIDonline is a database used by councils and government agencies across NSW to record and manage illegal dumping incidents.
“When you report via RIDonline, the relevant local council is sent an email alert about the incident so they can respond. To follow up on a report, call the council,” the EPA says.
