Up in arms: Resident fed up with illegal dumpers using Mount Gambier pine forest as a personal dump

A woman who moved from Melbourne is sick of seeing constant rubbish dumped in SA’s forests, demanding a change in attitude. See the shocking photos here.

A regional South Australian resident who made a tree change from Melbourne during the pandemic is calling on locals to clean up their act after finding an endless stream of rubbish illegally dumped in pine forests.

Meeka Shiells took to Facebook blasting the dumpers — calling for them to have some pride in their backyard.

Meeka Shiells is fed up with people using the pine forest as a personal dumping ground. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Speaking to the Mount Gambier News, Ms Shiells said it was disappointing more residents weren’t fired up about the problem.

“I think the general attitude is ‘Oh, that’s just Mount Gambier’ or ‘that’s Mount Gambier for you’, which is a real shame,” she said.

Ms Shiells regularly takes her dog Frank for walks in the pine forest located near Mount Gambier finding discarded hard rubbish “nine out of ten times”.

A stack of tyres in Wandilo pine forest.

A discarded TV in Wandilo pine forest.

With everything from tyres, white goods, TVs, car parts and abandoned chemical waste, Ms Shiells is worried about the environmental impacts.

“There are some parts in the forest that might have 30 tyres in different stacks,” she said.

“Conservation of the area is important to me.

“I don’t want to live in a place that’s known for being quite dumpy or has rubbish everywhere or burnt-out cars – nobody here should want that reputation.”

Residents say illegal dumping is out of control in the Limestone Coast.

Metal objects are left to rust in the forests around Mount Gambier.

Ms Shiells did sympathise with those who cannot afford to legally dump their waste – calling on council to review its hard-waste policy.

“The cost of waste removal is quite high in Mount Gambier, especially compared to other regional towns and the city,” she said.

“I think it’s easier for a lot of people to come out here and partake in this illegal activity than it is for them to afford such high waste costs.

“I think (council) should review their recycling costs – realistically they need to consider making plans to bring in hard-rubbish collection for the residents again, because that's what most of this is.”

Mount Gambier residents can drop off TVs, computers and computer products, motor oil, liquid paint and batteries for free at the waste transfer station.

Fridges and other appliances that require degassing or de-oiling cost $74 per item while car tyres can be disposed of for $7 a tyre.

Rubbish illegally dumped in one of the pine forests.

Even bikes in decent condition have been dumped.

Mount Gambier City Council ran a hard rubbish collection trial between July and December 2020 collecting 450 tonnes of waste — recycling or reusing 95 per cent of it.

Councillor Paul Jenner has been frustrated with the lack of action since the trial report was delivered in 2020.

Council’s budget for 2022/23 has made no mention of hard waste collection.

Mr Jenner said the community has been crying out for a hard waste collection service, but finding the money would be a challenge.

Machine parts dumped in the pine forest plantation. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mr Jenner has previously raised concerns council’s flagship Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre would prevent council’s ability to pay for other services or projects.

“The budget is under enormous pressure, which is something I’ve been saying for the past two years,” he said.

“Because of what council agreed to for the future — they are unable to borrow any extra money.”

“There’s no available surplus for anything.”

Mr Jenner’s comments are his and not reflective of the City of Mount Gambier Council.

A council spokesperson said a recently held elected members workshop considered waste management, including the hard waste trial.

“Hard waste is one aspect of waste management. Council needs to consider how it sits in the overall waste management approach,” a council spokesman said.