The material was found illegally dumped in the Wombat State Forest last week. 

Forest Fire Management Victoria acting regional manager forest and fire operations Jasmine Filmer said the contaminated fill found in the forest near Bullengarook was not far from the local community. 

“The five cubic metres of contaminated fill was laid on plastic sheeting adjacent to an important public access road, not far from the local community,” she said. 

“Because of the threat to wildlife and potential contamination of land, waterways and ground water, we have had the pile professionally removed.”

Forest Fire Management Victoria said the removal of illegally dumped asbestos contaminated material was costly. 

“It is a costly process to remove illegally dumped rubbish. This is money that could be better spent on maintaining access tracks and facilities for campers, bushwalkers and four-wheel drivers,” Ms Filmer said. 

Ms Filmer said it was important to check the credentials of a contractor employed to remove asbestos contaminated material. 

“There are some contractors that charge people to collect their asbestos, but rather than legally taking it to the appropriate landfill, it is being dumped in our forests,” she said. 

“This type of behaviour shows no regard for the health and well-being of other forest users, our staff, native animals and the environment.”

The dumped material comes after concerns were raised at a Hepburn Shire Council meeting earlier this year that rubbish being dumped in the shire could be harmful to residents. 

The illegal dumping of contaminated material is an offence that can result in court penalties or imprisonment. Suspicious behaviour or illegal dumping can be reported to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s customer service centre on 136 186, the EPA or the local police.