Council to pursue parks compost dumpers

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Some North Shore City tree care contractors are taking heed of the composting message - but they're putting the worms to work in the wrong place.

North Shore City Council parks staff are frustrated by the amount of tree mulch being illegally dumped in the city's parks, and are concerned about the harm the practice causes.

Often 10 cubic metre truckloads are being dumped at a time, and it is costing ratepayers a lot of money to have the waste removed.

North Shore City parks operations manager, Mike Weaver, says the material may look harmless and useful, however it often contains noxious weeds and inorganic rubbish and is not always appropriate for parks.

Mr Weaver says that judging from the truck loads regularly dumped, some arborists and contractors are probably charging their customers a disposal fee, then using the nearest council reserve as a dumping ground to increase their own profits.

He is appealing to residents to note times, places, vehicle registrations and if possible descriptions of those responsible, and to alert the council's Actionline call centre (phone 486 8600).

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