She said the council would ask any members of the public coming across illegally dumped waste not to remove any identifying names as this could limit the chance of a prosecution "if we decide to take that action".
She said it was disappointing too that all the material left at the beach could have been recycled. "Instead of being dumped where it was, they could have simply taken it to the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre in Maria Place extension."
Anyone coming across illegally dumped rubbish should contact the council on 349 0001.
"If they see the dumping occurring, useful details to note include the date and time it happened, a vehicle registration, a description of the person or the name of the person if it is known," the spokeswoman said.