Illegal dumping reporting on the rise as Aucklanders grow 'sick and tired' of it

Monday, 30 September 2019

Prosecutions for illegal dumping in Auckland have doubled in the past 18 months as more people report incidents.

It comes as Auckland Council successfully prosecuted another two illegal dumpers last week.

Mayor Phil Goff said although illegal dumping was on the decline, more people were calling it in when they see it, meaning 'community vigilance' and enforcement efforts were beginning to make a difference.

On Friday, a man was found guilty of illegally dumping green waste, and inorganic waste from his gardening and cleaning businesses, in North Shore District Court, a media release said.

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'He was convicted under the Litter Act 1979 and ordered to pay $709 plus court costs.'

On Wednesday, a woman pleaded guilty at Waitākere District Court for charges relating to illegal dumping after the driver of a truck, owned by her, was seen dumping commercial quantities of green waste, a media release said.

She was ordered to pay $785 as well as court costs.

Goff said the prosecutions meant illegal dumpers would 'get the message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated'.

'Aucklanders are sick and tired of people damaging our environment and are reporting illegal dumping when they see it happen,' he said.

'Illegal dumpers are finding out that with council enforcement staff's rapid response they will get caught.'

Auckland Council said there had also been a 'significant rise' in the number of litter infringement notices issued recently.

A total of 107 notices were given out in less than three months - compared to the 108 issued from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

'Aucklanders are doing a great job of supporting council enforcement efforts,' Goff said.

'People are continuing to call the 0800 NO DUMP line and report incidents, which helps our staff act quickly to investigate and get unsightly waste off our streets and out of our parks, beaches and waterways.'

In July 2018, three people were taken to court by the council for dumping oil drums in the Waitākere Ranges.

It came after oil barrels were found scattered in the ranges in January. Just two months later, more oil drums had been dumped. 

Auckland Council filed 30 charges against the three dumpers for offences against the Resource Management Act. 

In 2017, figures obtained by Stuff from Auckland Council under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, showed people dumping rubbish illegally cost Auckland ratepayers close to $1 million a year.