Council warns illegal dumpers of prosecution and $7000 fine or imprisonment

ROTORUA 27.06.11: As Rotorua District Council undertakes yet another clean-up of a notorious dumping spot on Mountain Road the council is sending out a warning that illegal dumpers will be prosecuted.

The council’s Castlecorp workers began clearing illegally dumped rubbish next to a popular city viewing area on Mountain Road last week [Thursday 23 June] but had to defer the clean-up until this week after bad weather halted their efforts.

The council can prosecute offenders under the Litter Act 1979 and the maximum penalty for an individual on conviction is $7500 or one month imprisonment.

Rotorua District Council’s Keep Rotorua Beautiful coordinator Christine Findon says the continued desecration of the area costs ratepayers many thousands of dollars in clean-up bills, as well as tarnishing Rotorua’s image as a clean and beautiful city.

“Tourists are encouraged to go to this area to take in some of the fantastic scenic views of our city. However they’re often met with the ghastly sight of rubbish and junk on the roadside and side of the mountain because some irresponsible people are just too lazy and thoughtless to dispose of rubbish correctly.

“Among the rubbish cleared away at last week’s clean-up was a truckload of old tyres - which would appear to have come from a commercial business - a dead sheep, and regular council rubbish bags filled with household waste. The annoying thing about the dumped bags is that people only need to put them outside the gate on collection day to be picked up.”

Mrs Findon is urging Mountain Road residents and anyone else who witnesses illegal dumping to write down the offenders’ car registration number, a description of the person involved and the date and time it happened, and to pass the information on to the council immediately.

“Disposal of any waste in the Rotorua district in a public place or on private property without the owner’s consent is illegal. If we find out the identity of anyone illegally dumping rubbish we will prosecute – there’s no two ways about it.”

Residents can report littering or illegal dumping by phoning the Rotorua District Council on 348 4199.

[ENDS]

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