Wairoa District Council chief executive Steven May is disappointed that a significant amount of household rubbish has been dumped at Spooner’s Point in Wairoa.

Several trailer loads of rubbish, corrugated iron, washing machine hoses, bags of rubbish and the remains of a dead sheep has all been dumped.

Some of the waste is on the river water line and some above the water’s edge.

During Level 3 and 4 the Council contractors have been collecting rubbish for free in a bid to reduce the need for people to travel to the landfill.

Mr May said the free household collection is about keeping people safe and at home in their bubble and has worked well.

“It is therefore even more disappointing that people would randomly dump rubbish. This will cost ratepayers to clean it up and has adverse environmental impacts on the land and water.

“We will be investigating this dumping, as we have other fly dumping incidents, and if we are able to identify who the rubbish belongs to prosecution may follow.

“This is a community problem. It is appalling that local people are dumping their rubbish in their own back yard, particularly when Council provides a range of rubbish disposal methods.

“I would also like to extend a thank you to those local people who helped clean up the dumped rubbish. It is great to see members of our community standing up against this type of disrespectful behaviour.

“I urge anyone with information on who may have dumped this rubbish to please contact Council on 06 838 7309.”

12 May 2020

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