Please don't dump rubbish in our forests

In conjunction with a Conservation Volunteers Australia revegetation program last week in Tumut State Forest, Forests NSW organised the removal of a significant volume of illegally dumped rubbish. 

"It's disappointing that some people in the community continue to dump rubbish in the forest," Forests NSW planning manager Duncan Watt who co-ordinated the program said.

"We removed an equivalent volume of rubbish only two months ago and the forest was basically clean and now here we are doing it all over again.

"Most of the rubbish being dumped is also recyclable. We had to remove a range of white goods, car batteries, assorted pieces of metal and cardboard - all of which can be taken to Bellettes at Gilmore and disposed of without charge."
 
Mr Watt said using the forest as a dumping ground for rubbish was ruining the forests for other recreational users who act in a responsible manner, and it was also a big drain on resources as staff work to stop the dumping, and clean up after the offenders.

People who dump rubbish in State forests face a substantial fine. Mr Watt said anyone seeing someone dumping rubbish in a State forest could help by taking the dumper’s registration details and reporting them to Forests NSW on (02) 6947 3911.

Apart from the rubbish clean up, Mr Watt said the work program saw the planting of more than 1000 native trees in an area previously infested with environmental weeds such as Cotoneaster, Hawthorn, privet and blackberry.

Some maintenance work on the Tumut State Forest recreational trail network also took place.

The recreational trails are very popular with local residents for a variety of activities including walking and mountain bike riding.

Photo available from sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au