FORESTRYSA has stepped up surveillance of its Green Triangle Native Forest Reserves, following a spate of dangerous forest car fires and illegal rubbish dumping.
Rubbish dumping is a longstanding local issue, with household waste and other material, including asbestos, chemicals and noxious weeds, regularly discarded within Forest Reserves.
The latest spate of illegal forest activity has seen nine car bodies dumped on Caroline’s Pond Flat Airstrip, presenting a significant fire and safety risk to the community and cost to ForestrySA.
ForestrySA fire crews were also called to extinguish a car fire at the airstrip recently, after a Holden Commodore was set alight near scrubland.
Ranger Ryan Fisher said ForestrySA has a zero-tolerance approach to illegal fires and rubbish dumping and perpetrators face prosecution.
“The airstrip borders Penambol Conservation Park and plantation forest,” Mr Fisher said.
“Dumping a vehicle and setting it alight poses a significant fire risk, especially during the middle of Fire Danger Season.
“Rubbish dumping of any kind is illegal and those caught face substantial fines.”
He said the organisation was currently working with South Australia Police to investigate the incidents.
Mount Gambier Police officer in charge Senior Sergeant Chris King said there have been four fires reported to police in the fire danger season.
“Only one of those vehicles – which was dumped on Hutchesson Road, Yahl in December – was stolen,” Snr Sgt Chris King said.
“All of the fires are very concerning to police as they have the potential to cause significant damage or loss of life.”
He said it was unclear whether there was any link between each of the fires.
“There is evidence of hoon behaviour where some of the fires occurred, but we have been having difficulty establishing who are the owners of the vehicles,” he said.
“We warn people the offence of misuse of a motor vehicle applies on both public roads and private property.”
Not all fires have been in the forests, with one vehicle burned out on North Terrace behind the Lady Nelson Visitor Centre.
However, Snr Sgt King admitted it was difficult to detect car fires and driver behaviour in the forests.
“The areas are quite isolated, so it does make it harder and that’s why we rely on people who see any suspicious behaviour to contact us on 131 444 or if it is an emergency ring 000,” he said.
ForestrySA manages approximately 13,500 hectares of gazetted Native Forest Reserve across the South East, located within reserves from Mount Benson and Cave Range, to the Victorian Border.
Mr Fisher said additional camera surveillance was being installed at the airstrip and other dumping hotspots in a bid to curb the problem.
Camera surveillance technology has been used in ForestrySA Forest Reserves for many years, assisting in the identification of illegal forest activity and supplementing regular forest patrols carried out by ForestrySA Rangers.
Forest rangers are wardens appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Forestry Act 1950 and have authority to enforce forest regulations under this act.
Anyone with information can call ForestrySA’s Mount Gambier office on 8724 2888.
