However, officers from the Hastings District Council had been able to identify and locate the culprits and had issued an infringement notice.
Waste minimisation and pollution response teams from the three councils are now working together to tackle the ongoing problem.
All dumping incidents are being recorded, with focus on the locations, the time and day they occurred or were uncovered and what type of rubbish was being dumped.
Mobile and stationary cameras had also been set up in frequently targeted spots to help detect and identify those responsible.
Hastings District Council waste minimisation officer Dominic Salmon said the council had been reviewing the way staff handled illegal dumping.
"We are streamlining our reporting and investigations to speed up our response to each incident."
Mr Salmon said offenders were making a big mistake in believing they could save a few dollars by illegally dumping rubbish.
"Considering they could receive an infringement notice of between $100 and $400, or if successfully prosecuted a fine of $7500, this looks to be a far costlier option."
The publicity about the Te Mata Peak dumping had led to the infringement notice being issued after good witness statements and council inquiries.
Mr Salmon said the recovered rubbish bags were weighed and would have cost $12 to dump.
"It's going to cost them a lot more than that now."
He said the public had a huge part to play in keeping the Bay's landscape looking good.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's Pollution Response Team manager Wayne Wright agreed.
He said that apart from cameras the councils relied on the public to report dumping.
"If people are seen dumping rubbish in public places please note their vehicle registration and pass it on to the 24/7 hotline so we can take action."
The regional council's pollution hotline is 0800 108 838.