CCTV to catch dodgy dumpers in Queenstown

A dumped car being removed by council contractors late last week.

Security cameras and signage will be installed in a bid to deter dodgy dumpers at Queenstown's Shotover Delta.

Mountain Scene last week revealed the extent of illegal dumping at the site, with burnt-out cars, smashed TVs and piles of household rubbish littering the area.

Following Scene inquiries, Queenstown's council has decided to take action.

Council comms advisor Campbell Weal confirms two CCTV cameras and signage will be installed at the Delta to "enable more effective enforcement and monitoring of unlawful behaviour in this area".

The cost of installing the cameras was "sensitive information".

Council contractors have also been down to the site, which is council-owned land, and started to remove some of the cars, he says.

They're hoping to have it cleaned up by Monday, he says.

Weal says 10 cars have been removed from the site in the past year.

Queenstowner Karyn Duncan, who regularly walks her dogs at the Delta, in last week's Mountain Scene described the dumping as "despicable".

"I find it quite disgusting.

"I don't know what's in people's heads that they think they can just come down here when it's an area that's used frequently."

Following the council action, Duncan thanked it for being "proactive".

"It is a beautiful area and we need to keep it that way.

"For those considering dumping rubbish, anywhere, please take responsibility for your own rubbish and use the refuse station.

"It's not fair on the rest of us ratepayers, as I am sure the money used to clean up the Delta could have been used for something more beneficial."

Earlier this year Scene reported illegal dumping cost ratepayers $6300 between July 2017 and April this year.

Two people were pinged with fines during that period, at $400 a pop.

Mountain Scene