Clean up costs outweigh fines
Just 10 instances of illegal dumping have been prosecuted in Auckland in the past five years, and the fines are not keeping up with the cost of cleaning up the mess.
Figures released under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act show 539 fines have been issued for illegal dumping since 2013.
The fines totalled $116,000, or an average of $23,200 per year.
Meanwhile, Auckland ratepayers are forking out about $1 million per year to clean up after illegal dumpers.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has promised to crack down on the practice.
He said it was time to target ‘‘people dumping stuff on the side of the road because they are too bloody lazy or too bloody tight to pay the cost of disposing of it properly’’.
West Auckland resident Joy Bennett said she has called Auckland Council a number of times regarding the piles of rubbish around Parrs Park in Glen Eden.
‘‘I have a background in environmental management,’’ she said.
I’m really aware of the impact this has on the environment.’’
Bennett said she asked the council if CCTV cameras could be installed after Parrs Park became a favourite spot for people dumping rubbish.
‘‘There had been a lot of clothes, appliances and broken televisions. So quite dangerous stuff.’’
Bennet said the cost of getting rid of rubbish, particularly e-waste, could be partly to blame for rubbish being dumped.
‘‘But there’s also an apathy around rubbish. If it’s not in your backyard then it’s not your problem.
‘‘A lot of Kiwis talk about a clean, green New Zealand but we don’t walk the walk. We have got to do better.’’
Goff said illegal dumping had become a priority issue for his council.
He said he has committed an additional $200,000 to managing the illegal dumping issue, which included increased surveillance in problem areas.
‘‘I’m sick and tired of it, Aucklanders are sick and tired of it,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m calling on members of the public to help us tackle the problem.’’
Aucklanders are now able to report illegal dumping by calling 0800 NODUMP.