Rubbish problem mounts in some forests

ASBESTOS ILLEGALLY dumped at three locations in State forests in northern Tasmania in recent months is posing a potential threat to humans and wildlife.
Forestry Tasmania workers have discovered illegally dumped asbestos at Forthside near Devonport, at the Oldina Softwood Plantation inland from Wynyard, and near the Narawntapu National Park near Port Sorell, which ironically until 1999 was known as the Asbestos Range.
Dumping of asbestos is not only highly illegal but also extremely irresponsible and has serious potential health ramifications.
The asbestos dumping is part of a wider rubbish dumping problem Forestry Tasmania has to deal with.
Garden waste can introduce weeds, unwanted plant species and diseases that can threaten native vegetation and birds and animals.
Car bodies are also a major problem with a least five cars a month dumped in State forests in the Mersey area.
Household rubbish dumped includes everything from washing machines, to tyres, mattresses and garbage bags full of waste, as well as recyclable items such as bottles.
In some cases the rubbish threatens to contaminate creeks and reservoirs.