Bushtrack dumping a load of rubbish

Locals are fed up with tyres, washing machines and cement blocks getting dumped on reserve land, saying it’s “a blight on the area”. Now they’ve taken matters into their own hands to catch culprits.

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A COMMUNITY in southern Tasmania has become so sick of rubbish being illegally dumped in a bushland reserve, it has set up cameras to catch the culprits in the act.

After years of finding tens of tyres, washing machines and cement blocks, one farmer has had enough of rubbish.

Tony Coombe of Lindisfarne who spends time in the area surrounding Brinktop Bushland Reserve near Richmond and is concerned about the dumping of rubbish including garden waste that occurs. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Richmond Park farmer Will Eddington said he recently found a large pile of green waste at the top of David’s Way walking track at the Brinktop Bushland Reserve in Penna.

He said despite council efforts to install ‘no dumping’’ signs and native plants, “lazy” people were regularly dumping to avoid a $10 rubbish tip fee.

“I’m pretty disappointed and let down by it because obviously there’s a number of people using the track and enjoying it,” he said.

“The broader community’s pretty fed up with it.”

He said the site had resembled a “pig sty” before the council built the walking track.

“The community’s been really keen on it and used it to no end,” he said.

“But then we have the issue of people dumping all the time.

“It’s a blight on the area.”

Concrete also at the Brinktop Reserve site near Richmond. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Clarence Council said they would investigate the matter.

Mr Eddington’s friend Tony Coombe said he had been finding litter in the area for years.

He said the local police officer was also aware of the rubbish and sometimes visited to check the area.

“We don’t want to live in that sort of untidy environment,” Mr Coombe said.

He said illegal dumpers should “think twice”, with footage from a newly installed roadside camera now under investigation by Tasmania Police.

The video showed a four-tonne tip truck drive up and down the Brinktop Bushland Reserve hill at 10.50am on Saturday June 27.

The vehicle’s tip tray was raised when the driver left the site.

The truck has a distinctive bright green tray and white cab.

Tasmania Police said Richmond officers are investigating the latest report.

Police ask anyone with information regarding the incident or the owner of the truck to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.gov.au