Western Bay's clean beaches earn approval

Papamoa Progressive Association chairman David Hill said the beaches were looking tidier than in previous years. Photo / File

Tauranga City Council has not received a single complaint about rubbish on beaches this summer.

Despite high numbers of visitors to the area, the council had yet to get a complaint about litter on the city's beaches and reserves, solid waste operations engineer Murray Kliskey said.

There was a New Year's clean-up at the Mount between 2am and 8am, from Adams St to Tay St, Mount Maunganui, after the New Year's Eve celebrations on Mount Main Beach.

As well as the big clean-up, increased collections helped to keep the area tidy.

"Over summer across Mount Maunganui-Papamoa, we increase some reserve and roadside litter-bin collections from weekly to daily," Mr Kliskey said.

"We place extra 50 litter bins in the city, mainly at the Mount, December to March."

Downtown Mount bins at The Mall, Adams St, Marine Parade and Banks Ave were checked three times per day, Mr Kliskey said.

It was a similar story in Papamoa.

Papamoa Progressive Association chairman David Hill said the beaches were looking tidier than in previous years.

Holidaymakers were throwing their rubbish in the bins and locals were good at picking up discarded litter on their own initiative, he said.

Mr Hill, who also manages Papamoa Plaza, said it appeared shoppers were taking on board a "tidy Kiwi philosophy".

"There has been a noticeable drop-off in the litter we've been picking up around here."