A POST on a social media page has led authorities to illegally dumped rubbish at Rochester.
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Paul Bates, of Forest Fire Management Victoria, said it took two staffers four hours to collect and remove the heaped tandem trailer load of garbage.
The rubbish consisted of household waste, papers, clothing and grass clippings.
“One of the frustrating things about this situation is approximately half of the litter could have been recycled for free,” Mr Bates said.
The Rochester transfer station accepts recycling at no cost and is open on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm, and Thursdays and Sundays from 9am – 12pm.
Forest Management Officers discovered the rubbish near the Campaspe River at Rochester, west of Bonn Road, after seeing a post on the Rochester Community Facebook page.
“We’d like to thank the community member who posted this on Facebook,” Mr Bates said.
He said the most effective way of reporting illegal rubbish dumping in state forests or on public land was to call the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on 136 186.
Mr Bates also encouraged anyone with information about the rubbish staffers had cleared to contact the department.
Penalties for dumping rubbish on public land include an on-the-spot fine of $317.
The offence can attract sanctions of up to $6342 if prosecuted in court.
“It is too often the case that people dump their rubbish in forests, parks and reserves, rather than taking it to the tip as they should,” Mr Bates said.