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A huge pile of tyres, leaking paint tubs and household items dumped down a bank next to a wetland in New Lynn has been investigated by Auckland Council, and because it requires specialist contractors will not be cleared until the end of next week.
Last week, a volunteer stumbled uponthe illegal dumping while taking a boat down to the Whau River, and led efforts to remove about 10cu m of discarded rubbish, but noted a lot of the trash could not be reached.
In a post on a New Lynn Facebook page, the volunteer said it was not the first time rubbish had been dumped at the spot.
The bulk of the rubbish was discarded car tyres, tonnes of household rubbish, large pieces of painted timber, around 30 dumped paint tubs with paint still in them that was leaking out and a huge beanbag that had been spilling beans everywhere and that were almost impossible to collect.
Volunteers have removed about 10cu m of rubbish from the site.
The volunteer said most of the rubbish would have flowed into the Whau River and out to sea, “which is why we do what we do”.
The volunteer did not place the blame on anyone, but hoped people seeing photographs of the illegal dumping might think twice about discarding things like used tyres, paint tubs and household rubbish.
Justine Haves, the council’s general manager of waste solutions, said a council enforcement officer visited the site today and found the rubbish present was significantly less than that shown in the photos.
“We assume the Sea Cleaner volunteers removed rubbish, for which we are grateful.
“There is still some rubbish remaining, including timber, especially down a steep bank. No evidence was found to identify the offenders. As specialist contractors need to recover the debris from the steep bank, we are advised that the remaining rubbish will be cleared by the end of next week,” she said.
Haves said if anyone has any information about who dumped the rubbish, they can contact 0800 NO DUMP (0800 663 867).
She said the council will monitor the site over the next few weeks and consider options for ongoing monitoring, if necessary.
Rubbish dumped near a wetland in New Lynn.
A volunteer removing rubbish from the site.
In May, it was reported that illegal dumping was plaguing the city at a cost of millions of dollars to the council.
Cars, fridges, toxic waste and up to 500 mattresses per month are among the items being cleaned up across the city.
Offenders can face fines of up to $400 and in serious cases prosecution, with penalties reaching $30,000, said Haves.
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