Rubbish piled in front of a derelict property in Fordlands' Bellingham Cres has sparked concern it is a health hazard.
The Rotorua District Council is being called on to do something about it.
Viv Radley, a former Fordlands Kindergarten teacher, has labelled the property an "eyesore and a health hazard" for the
children attending the kindergarten, which is less than 50m away.
She made a complaint to the council about 10 days ago.
"I was a teacher with the kindy for 29 years and I went to say hello and saw all that rubbish piled up. It's disgraceful," Mrs Radley said.
"I feel sorry for the people around there trying to take some pride in the place and they have to deal with that.
"Rotorua is supposed to be a beautiful city and I know visitors don't necessarily go to the suburbs, but something needs to be done.
"I can't see how it can't be a health hazard. There's a stream behind it where the rubbish could filter in - and what about the rats and mice probably living there?"
The flats' owner, who did not want to be named, said the rubbish was not his.
"However, it will be cleared in the next couple of days," the landlord said.
Rotorua District Council regulatory services manager Jim Nicklin said staff were dealing with the issue and would meet with the Fordlands Community Group this week to discuss the problem.
"The council has not determined that the litter currently there is presently a health hazard but the council is, of course, concerned about the negative effect that the illegal dumping of the litter has on the environs of the community," Mr Nicklin said.
"I would need some convincing that the rubbish, which is the cause of the current concern, has been placed on the section by people other than members of the Fordlands community. While acknowledging that the state of the dwelling on the property is not a good look, it has in the past been boarded up by the owner to prevent entry by locals and, on at least two occasions, hoardings have been torn down."
Mr Nicklin said the aim of his meeting with the group would be to implement a system whereby Fordlands locals could keep an eye on vacant properties and notify the council if they saw any illegal dumping.
