|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Illegal dumping continues across the wider Franklin area, despite the Auckland Council working with community groups and businesses to prevent it and catch those responsible.
Auckland Council general manager waste solutions Justine Haves said they had a zero-tolerance policy in place and had issued 50 per cent more fines than in the previous financial year.
“Everyone has a right to enjoy their homes, neighbourhoods, and environment without having it treated like a tip. And everyone has a responsibility to take care of their own rubbish and recycling properly.”
The council is using a mix of education, enforcement, and community support and engagement.
These include clearly marking known hotspots with “No Dumping” signs and reporting when rubbish is found, along with tagging rubbish with warning stickers and serving 24-hour removal notices to nearby homes.
Stickers remind residents to dispose of their waste properly before the council gets involved.
In 30 per cent of cases, the person responsible cleaned it up.
“The proposed fortnightly rubbish collection trial is designed to help people use all their bins more efficiently and learn about the many free or low-cost ways to dispose of waste responsibly — such as recycling soft plastics at supermarkets or taking large household items to community recycling centres.
“Greater awareness and education about these options could help reduce illegal dumping in
public places over time,” Haves said.
Sustainable Papakura chairperson Rosemary Nash said that sometimes it comes down to cost.
“People who are renting — when they move — have to leave their sections clean and spotless; it’s an expensive exercise.
“You have to pay a new bond and move your furniture, and often people just don’t have the funds to pay for dumping their stuff legally.
“If you’re on a low income, your furniture is often second-hand, and by the time you’re ready to move on, it’s had its day, so they’re stuck with stuff they can’t sell or give to second-hand shops because it’s past it.
“They don’t have the funds to transport it to the local tip. It’s really difficult, and we need to understand the problems behind these situations.”
- To report illegal dumping within Auckland, call 0800 NO DUMP (0800 663 867), which is available 24/7. For Waikato, call 0800 492 452.
