Resident Roy Williams, standing among a pile of illegally dumped rubbish in the Ironbark Forest in Stawell, reads over some of the documents found at the site that have helped identify possible offenders. Picture: MARK McMILLAN
STAWELL - Would be rubbish dumpers are being warned they will be tracked down after a series of rubbish dumpings in the Ironbarks.
Roy Williams who has ran, walked and cycled in the forest for 40 years said it is very concerning.
"The first concern is that anyone who comes into the forest and decides to light a fire can do so," he said.
"And if a bushfire does take hold, then all of this material will be fuel for the fire.
"The second is that it sets a bad example, to have so much material dumped here people will start to think it is okay to do it.
"This type of activity is totally blatant and wilful."
Mr Williams said the first site probably contained upward of 50 items including bottles and wheels.
The second contained larger items like mattresses, televisions and chairs.
Police say with the rubbish dumping being a local laws matter, the most they can do is issue a ticket for littering.
Northern Grampians Shire Council will be investigating the dumping with Department of Sustainability and Environment crews responsible for cleaning it up.
The size and number of the objects dumped means either a large truck has been used or the people have been required to make multiple visits.
Documents revealing the names of possible offenders were found at one of the sites and have been handed in to Stawell police.
The material has been there for at least two weeks with visitors noticing it early in the new year.