Dozens of comments were posted on The Rock Buy Swap and Sell Facebook site after a large amount of rubbish was dumped illegally.

It was an act that provoked the ire of residents and those within the shire council. 

Another person posted on social media that the perpetrators were “not real locals.”

“I am sure that they can be traced by the rubbish ... let police know, filthy animals,” another person wrote.

The post gathered 29 comments. 

It was instigated after residents saw the dumped items at The Rock reserve and posted a photo. 

According to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) anyone caught illegally dumping can be issued with an on the spot fine of up to $7500 or $15,000 for a company.  

And for willful dumping of material that is likely to cause “actual” environmental harm the penalties stretch up to $2 million and carry hefty jail sentences.  

Lockhart Shire Council mayor Rodger Schirmer labelled the activity as “inconsiderate”.

“This is an act of inconsiderate small-minded grubs,” he said. 

The shire was aware of the issue of illegal dumping – and in this case it occurred about one kilometre from The Rock tip – which is just one of four in the council’s jurisdiction.

But unlike other dumping it is believed this occurred in a National Park zoned area. 

Lockhart Shire Council director of engineering and environmental services, David Webb said there were ample opportunities to dispose of waste adequately without dumping.  

He said Lockhart and The Rock tips were open each Wednesday and every second Sunday. 

There were also tips located at Yerong Creek and Pleasant Hills which opened on Tuesdays. 

“It (dumping) is not common in this area but it is starting to get more prevalent, and we are aware of it,” Mr Webb said. 

He said the problem was perhaps worse for other shires. 

And the contents of what gets dumped varies. He said it might range from high risk items such as asbestos.

Or there could be concrete or left over building materials and tiles.

And in some instances furniture was dumped too.

He said there was no reason to dump.

“Perhaps they don’t want to pay the fees,” he said.