Illegal Dumping Spoils Ruapehu And Costs Ratepayers

The illegal dumping of rubbish is costing Ruapehu ratepayers a lot of money and spoiling the district’s beautiful green spaces.

RDC Team Leader Compliance, Brenda Ralph, said that a spate of illegal dumping around the district has been upsetting local communities and keeping Council and our contractors busy cleaning up the mess.

“Over the past couple of weeks we have had a spate of calls about illegally dumped rubbish in Taumarunui, Cherry Grove Reserve and a huge illegal dump in Pipiriki,” she said.

“Local communities understandably get very upset when someone dumps their household or other rubbish in their neighbourhood and where they walk their dog or kids play.”

“Not only is it an eyesore but it presents an environmental and health and safety risk.”

“We have even had instances of people dumping butchered carcasses near a school playground which in addition to the smell and disease issues was attracting stray dogs.”

Mrs Ralph said that Council compliance staff are often left wondering about the mentality of people who think it’s alright to do this sort of thing.

“Often a lot of the refuse people illegally dump is actually recycling that could have been disposed of for free at their local Transfer Station,” she said.

“In the Cherry Grove Reserve case this week a lot of the refuse was green waste.”

“Council is aware that people are wary of landfill charges however the cost of dumping up to 20kg of green waste is only two dollars or 20kg of residential refuse only three dollars at the Taumarunui landfill.”

“This is significantly cheaper than the infringement cost for illegal dumping which is $400 plus the cost of the clean-up.”

Mrs Ralph added that illegal dumpers should note that Council works very hard at investigating the illegal dumping and tracking down the culprits.

“We have a very good track record of identifying illegal dumpers, fining them and getting them to pay for the clean-up costs.”

“Local communities are very keen to assist Council in this matter,” she said.

“We would encourage anyone who sees any suspicious activity to make a note of a number plate and other details such as colour/make of car, or take a cell phone photo, and then either report the details to Council (or the Police).”

“All such reports to council are treated in complete confidence.”

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