Gisborne council warns rubbish dumpers face fines as costs surge

Security camera signs at the city waste transfer station in Innes St. Photo / Zita Campbell

People caught illegally dumping rubbish at Gisborne’s waste transfer station after hours could face fines of up to $400.

For October, disposal for gate dumping after hours cost Gisborne District Council $77,744.92, averaging $2500 per day.

This year, there have been 1200 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish throughout the region, costing the council about $600,000.

The council says most of these costs (94%) are people dumping rubbish outside the city transfer station gates.

In a statement to Local Democracy Reporting, solid waste manager Phil Nickerson said their message to the public was “any rubbish must be dropped off during operating hours”.

“Security cameras will be operating after hours. Council will investigate and issue infringements for anyone caught dumping illegally.”

So far this year, 19 infringement notices have been issued for litter/illegal dumping around the region - fines were a maximum of $400 each.

Of the rubbish dumped outside the transfer station, about 20% was stickered (paid for) and dropped off by people thinking the crates at the gate were an after-hours service, but this was not included in what is collected from rates, Nickerson said.

Rates only covered kerbside collection for rubbish and recycling. Disposing of other waste was at the cost of users.

“During Covid-19 and again during Cyclone Gabrielle, crates were provided by Waste Management at the front gate to help alleviate some of the barriers facing the community during these crises.”

It’s assumed that people have just continued this behaviour, or even think it’s allowed, he said.

“With the escalating volumes and cost we’re now needing to educate people that it’s not a service, and dumping waste in public places is not permitted and will be enforced.”

Nickerson said the council’s operational budget was set three years in advance and was not sufficient to cover the costs of illegal dumping, which had increased by “more than 40% year-on-year for the past three years”.

When asked how much of the 1200 tonnes was in public places and not outside the transfer station, Nickerson said it was hard to quantify, but approximately 2%, which would equal 24 tonnes.

Some dumped items, such as metal, were taken directly to metal recyclers rather than being sent to a landfill, he said.

“To tackle the main issue occurring outside Waste Management, our message to the public is that any rubbish must be dropped off during operating hours.”

This meant, stickered rubbish bags may be dropped off during opening hours only, and all other rubbish must be weighed and paid for over the weighbridge, he said.

New signage is to be installed at the transfer station to let people know what to do.

Nickerson said the council would also send out more education messages through media and its online channels to encourage people to “reuse, recycle or dispose waste correctly”.

This would include where to recycle items like batteries, building materials, e-waste or soft plastics, and participating in Second Hand Sunday.

Many illegally dumped items were “recyclable, reusable or donatable”, he said.

The council also plans to monitor hotspots for dumping, including roadsides, beaches, and vacant urban lots.

“We can’t put surveillance in every location, so we rely on and ask members of the public to report anything they see in public places.”

Council was also looking at ways of improving its future waste system through the Waste Minimisation Management Plan 2025-2031.

It had been drafting the plan with stakeholder groups and would consult with the community in early 2026, Nickerson said.