Illegal dumping occurring in state-owned forests

There has been a spike in instances of illegal rubbish dumping and pollution incidents on Permanent Timber Production Zone land across the state.

Sustainable Timbers Tasmania (STT) says that illegal rubbish dumping has cost the organisation an average of $39,000 per year to inspect, manage and facilitate the removal of waste from the Permanent Timber Production Zone land.

STT had to deploy operational teams recently to undertake cleanup and containment work following an illegal oil-dumping incident in the northwest of the state.

That clean-up operation alone cost nearly $30,000.

STT Conservation and Land Management general manager Suzanne Weeding said such incidents require significant planning, specialist resources and follow‑up work - diverting time and funding away from planned forest management activities - and if not promptly addressed, illegal dumping can also result in long‑term environmental harm 

to forest ecosystems and waterways.

“Illegal dumping places a growing strain on Tasmania’s public forests and the 

resources required to manage them.

“While Sustainable Timber Tasmania already undertakes significant effort each year to respond to unlawful waste disposal, the recent oil dumping incident has materially increased that impact.

“Beyond the financial cost, these incidents pose a serious risk to forest ecosystems, waterways and wildlife.”

STT says it continues to work closely with Tasmania Police, the Environmental Protection Authority and other agencies to report incidents, support investigations and deter further offending.