Illegal dumping leads to diversion

A MAN has been granted diversion a year to the day after he illegally dumped rubbish in a Kakanui reserve.

At the Oamaru District Court this week, Jotham Millar accepted an offer of diversion and was asked to complete an environmental awareness course and give a sum of money to a charity as a result of the May 8, 2018 incident.

Waitaki District Council environmental services manager Jason Evered told the Otago Daily Times the rubbish dumped at the reserve in Beach Rd in Kakanui included a trailer load of green waste, household refuse including dirty nappies and bottles, old clothing and a mattress.

Millar was identified after a public appeal for information, which helped form the ongoing council initiative ‘‘Dob in a Dumper’’. The initiative asked the public to contact the council if they saw anyone dumping rubbish illegally.

In a statement, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said the initiative proved that people risked serious consequences if found dumping rubbish illegally.

‘‘Getting a positive result is important when it comes to illegal dumping. People who won’t take responsibility for their own rubbish should realise that it is not OK to make it everyone else’s problem. There are plenty of legal ways to dispose of rubbish, so there is no excuse.

‘‘Well done to the people who helped get this prosecution through the system, and to everyone who does the right thing.’’