Slide across to see the changes to the dumped Holden Commodore on Plant Road.
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ON August 6, a Bendigo prospector drove past an abandoned Holden Commodore in the Wellsford State Forest.
Draped with police tape, he assumed authorities were aware of the car and it would eventually be removed from its resting place on Plant Road, near Tresize Track.
But 23 days later, not only was the car still there, it was on its roof, missing its tyres and had apparently been stripped of most of its internals.
It was also surrounded by broken glass and spilled oil.
“It would have been a simple matter to organise a tray or tow truck, the owner, an insurance company or local wrecker to remove the car,” the prospector told the Bendigo Advertiser.
“Now there is this terrible mess, broken glass, spilled oil in the bush which will probably cost more to clean up and a wreck that is worthless other than for scrap.”
Bendigo police Senior Sergeant John Dalton said it was up to the owner to remove their vehicle, once they had been informed by police.
After that, it is either the council or Parks Victoria’s responsibility to make arrangements to clear away the car, depending where it sits.
“Police will arrange to have the car removed if it is in a risky location, like on a road,” Senior Sergeant Dalton said.
In this instance, the car was on land controlled by Parks Victoria.
Parks Victoria Goldfields area chief ranger Mark McKimmie said they relied on the community to let them know when rubbish had been dumped in a state park.
“Rubbish dumping in parks diverts the time and resources of Parks Victoria staff. It also places visitors, staff and the environment at risk,” he said.
“We are always disappointed that people dump rubbish in parks and reserves. We see many instances of litter, building, household waste, abandoned cars and larger items being dumped in parks.
“Parks Victoria is currently dealing with a number of sites of dumped rubbish in the Bendigo area.”
To report illegal dumping, contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63.