Forestry Corporation of NSW has partnered with the Coffs Harbour Mountain Bike Club to remove car tyres, mattresses, used nappies and general domestic rubbish from around the fire trails in the club’s permit area in Pine Creek State Forest, south of Coffs Harbour.

Damp conditions over the weekend proved too wet for riding so club members made the most of the conditions to conduct maintenance work and clean up areas subjected to illegal dumping of household and domestic waste.

Club volunteers removed around 250 kilograms of waste from multiple sites along the fire trail network within their permit area, with Forestry Corporation covering waste disposal charges.

Coffs Harbour Mountain Bike Club President Mick Strazzari said it was disappointing to see the accumulation of illegally dumped rubbish in the forest and said club members were passionate about monitoring the forest around the mountain bike tracks for signs of illegal dumping.

“We welcome all mountain bikers and other forests users who enjoy the area but if our members witness dumping in the area we will be reporting it.  ,” Mr Strazzari said.

“The club spends a considerable amount of time and energy keeping the trails maintained and manages the site under a Forest Permit through Forestry Corporation, which includes rights and responsibilities for looking after the site. We hope other forest users will work with the club to maintain vigilance against illegal activities and to support approved single-track riding in the forest.”

Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Partnerships Leader Ryan Ellis says Forestry Corporation regularly partners with community groups and forest permit holders to maintain recreation facilities throughout the region.

“The mountain bike tracks in Pine Creek State Forest are popular with locals and visitors to the area and the club does a fantastic job at maintaining the site. “Unfortunately, some people do illegally dump waste on public land, so we’re grateful for the volunteers from community groups like the Coffs Harbour Mountain Bike Club who support efforts to remove dumped rubbish.

“During the clean-up work, evidence was collected and provided to authorities to investigate.

“It’s hoped that enforcement action and ongoing monitoring of the area will make people think twice about dumping rubbish in our region’s State forests.”

Anyone noticing incidences of illegal dumping are asked to note any relevant details and report via the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) online reporting tool RIDONLINE.

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