Illegally-dumped rubbish that contains deadly asbestos has yet to be disposed of six months after its discovery by authorities in Whipstick forest.
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Parks Victoria detected the carcinogen at an illegal waste site last August but still hasn't had it removed, claiming to be overwhelmed by reports of dumping across the state.
Despite the time that has passed, the agency responsible for managing parks admitted on Friday the material was only likely to be removed "over the next couple of months."
"Unfortunately, Parks Victoria receives many reports of dumped waste in our parks and reserves including dumped asbestos," said Mathew Sobey of Parks Victoria.
"Each time a report of dumped waste is received, rangers make an assessment of the risk to health and the environment. This is used to prioritize the removal of the waste dumps."
Mr Sobey said the dump, which lies less than 50 meters from Beelzebub Gully, posed less of a risk to human health and the environment than other sites around the state.
"The asbestos waste is asbestos cement sheeting; if it is not disturbed, it presents little risk of asbestos fibres being released," he said. "The waste is located in a remote location with little visitation further reducing the risk of exposure of people to asbestos fibres."
But Sam Robertson at Jim's Hazardous Material Removal challenged Parks Victoria's instance that the material was not a risk to the nearby watercourse.
"That's complete BS," he said. "The reality is it’s asbestos."
Mr Robertson said his company, if asked, would be able to remove the hazardous substance within days for $1,250, with any site under 10 m² not requiring notification to Environmental Protection Agency Victoria.
“It just seems bizarre to me that they would leave it lying around,” he said.
Mr Sobey said there were no leads on who was responsible, but noted that the improper disposal of hazardous materials can attract fines exceeding $1,700.
Local woman Amy Mitchell, who discovered the site, called for stronger punishments for dumpers.
"Every time we are going out we've got to deal with these people who have dumped rubbish all throughout the bush,” she said. “It's just disgusting. People really don't care and are just too lazy to take their rubbish to the tip or put it in their bins."