THE South East plantation sector is battling an increase in illegal dumping activity in its forests, which is fuelling concerns over the “significant” economic and environmental ramifications.
Green Triangle Forest Products managing director Laurie Hein has spoken out over the upward spiral in illegal dumping, which shows no signs of slowing.
“This is just a dangerous practice – asbestos is being dumped off trailers in the open. I cannot believe people are willing to take that risk with their own health by handling such hazardous material,” Mr Hein said.
Taking The Border Watch on the tour yesterday of rubbish dumping hotspots near Mount Gambier, he said the material was being thrown in plantations across the district.
“This is a long-standing issue that is clearing getting worse,” Mr Hein warned.
He said the illegal rubbish dumping – including addressing greenwaste contamination – was costing the company more than $70,000 annually.
This material included used syringes, toxic material and general household rubbish.
There had also been a spike in the amount of greenwaste being dumped, which is spreading noxious weeds and plants within the estate.
“These weeds and plants are hard to control and by the time we detect them, they have a foothold,” he explained.
The forestry operator also questioned whether a number of small gardening maintenance businesses were contributing to the dumping of greenwaste given the large volumes.
“This greenwaste does not appear to be from a backyard operator or home handyman,” Mr Hein said.
While the economic cost was ballooning, he warned the environment and health implications were greater.
Mr Hein was particularly scathing at people who dumped cars in estates and set them on fire.
“The industry has great concern these burnt out cars will start a wildfire,” said Mr Hein, who showed a torched vehicle on a tree stump adjacent a large plantation.
“We did have a fire start from a dumped car last fire season but we managed to get onto it quickly before it spread into the plantations, but there is always that potential,” the forestry industry veteran said.
The rubbish – mostly household material – was being strewn across the plantation estate, but the dumping incidents increased closer to Mount Gambier.
Dumpers were also throwing material alongside waste transfer stations in the Grant district.
Mr Hein called on people to watch for illegal dumpers in plantation areas and report any illegal activity to their local council.
Conceding catching people was often a “needle in haystack”, he said the industry deployed surveillance technology to catch these perpetrators.
He revealed more innovative technology was emerging to detect these dumpers.
reen traingle for
