The Grafton community is being asked to help protect Bom Bom State Forest from ongoing illegal dumping.

In the latest clean-up undertaken by Forestry Corporation staff, 2.5 tonnes of rubbish was removed from bushland near South Grafton.

Tyres, fridges, lounges, rubbish and burnt-out vehicles were removed, highlighting the environmental, fire and safety risks that illegal dumping poses to the forest and surrounding community.

Of the tipper loads of household and industrial waste removed from local roads and bushland, the worst dumping was found along Lilypool Road.

“Bom Bom State Forest is an important natural area right on Grafton’s doorstep and we’re asking the community to help us protect it,” Lead Fire and Operations Officer Matthew Hagon said.

“Every month we are dealing with illegally dumped rubbish, ranging from tyres, fridges and lounges through to burnt-out cars, home renovation waste and even hazardous industrial waste like asbestos.

“Dumped rubbish pollutes the environment, damages bushland and creates risks for wildlife and forest visitors," Mr Hagon said.

“It is most concerning when our fire crews and local Rural Fire Service brigades are called to extinguish fires caused by dumped vehicles being set alight, this creates an unnecessary fire risk to the community.

“We understand households are facing cost-of-living pressures and some items can be expensive to dispose of but dumping them in the forest doesn’t make that cost disappear. It simply shifts it onto the wider community.

“The local mountain bike community and other forest visitors value Bom Bom, so it is extremely disappointing to see bushland being treated as a rubbish tip,” he said.

The public can help look after Bom Bom State Forest by reporting illegal dumping to the NSW Environment Protection Authority through RIDonline or the EPA Environment Line on 131 555.  
Dumped waste posing an immediate environmental risk can also be reported to Clarence Valley Council on 02 6643 0200.

To find out more about Forestry Corporation operations go to www.forestrycorporation.com.au