"Despite clear signage stating we are not accepting donations at this time, there are lots of people dumping rubbish at our thrift store and donation bins across the region.

"At the end of the day, it is unlawful."

Capt Sutton said the charity is struggling to keep up with the volume of donations it receives.

"If we did accept donations, we are directed to store it for 48 hours; unfortunately we do not have space.

"We're still trying to catch up from January."

She said the Salvation Army is considering several options to manage the unlawful dumping.

EARLIER: Two Horsham people are facing the possibility of fines or prosecution for allegedly dumping rubbish.

Horsham Rural City Council development services director Angela Murphy said staff cleaned up five sites between late March and early April.

"Two offenders have been identified and we are going through the process to prosecute them for illegal dumping," she said.

"Council and the community view illegal dumping as unacceptable and we take the matter seriously.

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"We have linked four out of the five instances to charities being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

Between March 16 and April 1, Horsham-based thrift stores run by the Salvation Army, St Vincent's and Wimmera Base Hospital Ladies Auxiliary stopped accepting donations to protect staff from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the council has made some changes to how Transfer Stations operate during the pandemic.

The Kenny Road Transfer Station in Horsham and all rural facilities remain open for essential visits from HRCC residents and businesses only.

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Infrastructure services director John Martin said in line with the current COVID-19 restrictions, people should only be attending transfer stations if their visit was essential.

"Local businesses who use our sites and those residents without a kerbside collection service are examples of essential visits," he said.

"Over the last week, we've noticed that the number of customers to our sites has increased.

"Where it is necessary that children attend, they must remain inside their vehicles and anyone who fails to follow physical distancing rules will be asked to leave.

"The Tip Shop is not essential at this time and is closed."

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