Ruapekapeka Rd dump site clean-up by Christmas

LOOK AT THAT: A disbelieving Bruce Gordon surveys the mess at the illegal dump site he discovered on Ruapekapeka Rd. Photo/Peter de Graaf

The Far North District Council plans to start cleaning up a massive illegal dump site on Ruapekapeka Rd before Christmas.

The illegal dump site, in native bush about 8km from Kawakawa, was reported to the council last week after being discovered by Haruru Falls man Bruce Gordon.

Mr Gordon, who has cleaned up illegal dumping sites around Paihia, said the volume of rubbish was "easily" 100 cubic metres.

One large load of domestic waste, including tin cans, kitchen scraps and used nappies in black bin bags, appears to have been dumped from a truck. Other items include armchairs, large TVs, a fridge, mattresses, a car, toys, glass and even children's school projects.

"It's disgusting, look at it. It's in a pristine bit of bush on a tourist road," Mr Gordon said.

What made it worse was that it was on the road leading to Ruapekapeka Pa, site of the final battle of the Northern War of 1845-46 and one of the most significant historic sites in the Mid North

FNDC infrastructure and asset manager Andy Finch said staff had conducted an initial inspection but, because the dump was on a steep, bush-covered bank, it was too dangerous to investigate further until the ground dried out.

Staff would start a clean-up before Christmas but until they could fully access the site it was not possible to say what that would involve or how much rubbish could be removed.

"The council shares the frustration residents feel about rubbish illegally dumped in our natural environment and we will prosecute the culprits when sufficient evidence is found," Mr Finch said.

Cleaning up a massive illegal dump site in steep bush beside Ngaiotonga Rd, about 20km from Russell, cost Far North ratepayers $14,000 last year.

The illegal Ruapekapeka Rd dump site is at a high point on the road, where a layby is bordered by a fence and a steep bank dropping away into bush. The views would be impressive but for the festering rubbish.

Mr Gordon spotted a small pile of fresh trash on the edge of the layby, including a moon boot and high-vis vests, when he was driving home from a contracting job last Wednesday.

When he took a closer look he was horrified to see much, much more spilling into the bush.