Rubbish discovered on riverbanks

Two South Canterbury residents say they are ‘‘disgusted’’ to have found dumped rubbish on the banks of the Opihi and Temuka Rivers since the start of December.

Temuka man Alan Andreassend said his daughters discovered rubbish on the bank of the Temuka River at the end of St Leonard’s Rd.

It was foodstuffs and it looked like someone had cleaned out the contents of their freezer, with bags of meat lying on the grass, Andreassend said.

‘‘It’s about a five-minute walk from our place to where they found it. ‘‘The kids came home and they were quite disgusted so I went for a walk [to see].’’

Andreassend said he was annoyed at the ‘‘lazy’’ people who chose to put their rubbish in the river, rather than taking it to the landfill or using the council’s bin service.

It was particularly disappointing because it was quite close to a swimming spot, Andreassend said.

He could not remove the rubbish as it was on a part of the river the public could not access.

He said he had tagged the Timaru District Council on a Facebook post but had not received any response on Friday.

It was not the only case of dumping discovered near Temuka in the past week.

Deborah Payne said her husband, Patrick, went for a walk and discovered rubbish in the Opihi River, and was so shocked he returned and got his camera.

What appeared to be part of a motor was washed up on the bank of the Opihi near Walker Rd, between Pleasant Point and Temuka.

‘‘I think it’s disgusting. He was pretty annoyed about annoyed, because he’s fisherman,’’ Payne said.

Andreassend said the problem was a recurrent one around Temuka, but he had not seen rubbish in that particular spot before

‘‘I do certainly come across it a couple of times a year.

‘‘It’s just lazy people that can’t be bothered going to the dump.’’ it, a very keen

An Environment Canterbury spokesman said the regional council was aware of the rubbish being dumped on the Opihi River, but did not know who was responsible.

‘‘[It] contained various chairs, blankets, household rubbish and a water blaster,’’ he said.

‘‘We have the power to issue infringements - $300-$1000 depending on circumstances - when we have evidence of the offenders.

‘‘However in this instance there was no evidence of offenders.’’

ECan removed rubbish when it became aware of complaints, regardless of whether it knew who was responsible.

Timaru District Council group manager for community services Sharon Taylor said the council was ‘‘really saddened’’ when people discarded rubbish on the banks of rivers.

‘‘There are absolutely no excuses for this as we provide ample facilities for disposing of refuse, or better still, people can take it home and properly sort it for recycling and composting.

‘‘If anyone sees this happen, please ring the council.

‘‘We’re always keen about this.’’

Department of Conservation Geraldine operations officer Dave Winterburn said the effects of rubbish would depend on the amount dumped and what it was.

‘‘It could attract more predating animals (cats, stoats) into the riverbeds where river birds nest,’’ he said. to hear

Police notebook

On Friday four cannabis plants were found by police at a Timaru property.

On Saturday a Timaru man was arrested for failing to appear in court.

On Saturday at about 2am a Timaru man, 21, was stopped while driving on Old North Rd and arrested for driving while suspended.

On Saturday at about 2am a police safety order was issued at a Timaru address.

On Saturday at 3.20pm a Timaru man was stopped on Theodosia St for driving while disqualified. He was breath-tested and blew 637 micrograms per litre of breath. His vehicle was impounded.

An assault was reported at the Bullock Restaurant and Bar about 11.45pm on Saturday.

A police safety order was issued at 8pm on Saturday for trespass.

At 3am on Sunday, a Christchurch woman, 21, was arrested on Hobbs St for drunk and disorderly behaviour and possession of cannabis.

Woman seriously hurt

A woman is seriously injured after a rental car and tour bus collided near Christchurch airport.

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to a crash at 9.15am on Saturday.

Two people suffered moderate injuries and one serious injuries, she said.

Snap Rentals Christchurch manager Patrick Broadbent said Malaysian tourists picked up the car on Monday.

International customers were provided with an information booklet on New Zealand’s road rules.

There was no stand-down period for passengers arriving in the country after a long-haul flight before they were able to hire a vehicle, he said.

St John spokesman Elliot Steel said all three patients were transported to Christchurch Hospital.

Chch families struggle

Struggling families are fuelling a growing demand on Christchurch’s food bank, the city missioner says.

Christchurch City Missioner Matthew Mark said food parcel demand was up more than 25 per cent on last year.

‘‘The majority of those people in that increase have been working families.

‘‘It’s mum and dad both working, on average have just over two kids and they are just struggling to make ends meet. The additional pressure that’s come on with Christmas time is already coming to the fore.’’

Security planning

Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) have begun security and logistical planning for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which will be hosted by New Zealand in 2021.

MFAT is the lead agency, with Police responsible for all security arrangements. Police, and a number of other agencies, would require specific funding for the event.