The views from brand new million-dollar homes in a rapidly developing part of east Auckland are being spoiled by the disgusting sight of large piles of illegally dumped rubbish.
To tackle the problem, the Howick Local Board is providing funding to local sustainability consultants Wilkinson Environmental Ltd to try to identify the dumpers and ensure they’re held to account.
That work involves placing CCTV cameras in problem areas to film those responsible.
The Times recently visited one of the key hotspots for dumping, Bremner Ridge Street in Flat Bush, with director Simon Wilkinson to see the problem first-hand.
Two empty sections on the street resemble an unauthorised rubbish dump.
One spot is covered by polystyrene, cardboard, a large box that once contained a refrigerator, numerous full large white bags, a suitcase, and an enormous tree stump that someone’s managed to discard.
At another spot nearby is clothing, more cardboard, large boxes, cement, alcohol bottles, and a range of general household waste.
The areas have recently been fenced off and some of the rubbish has been removed, but the problem persists.
“We put a camera up and caught more then 10 people and companies dumping,” Wilkinson says.
“We got vehicle regos and Auckland Council has fined them. We’ve found quite a few building contractors and sub-contractors dumping rubbish out here, which is kind of surprising.”
He says some dumpers are quite brazen, discarding rubbish there in the middle of the day.
“Some of them were doing it in sign-written vehicles so that made it easy to find them.
“We had the camera there for another month after the fence went in and we saw a lot less dumping.
“We’re going to keep moving the camera and keep catching these people.
“When the pile had been here for a number of months it stank and was a bit of a health hazard.”
Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light says rubbish and enforcement are regional responsibilities, so the board doesn’t have direct control over them, but it’s working hard to get more action.
“There’s a lot of development happening in the area, especially in Flat Bush.
“We fund a specialist to proactively visit building sites in Flat Bush and engage with builders to promote good site practices, especially sediment control and waste containment.
“Serious issues are reported through to the compliance team for enforcement and prosecution.”
The council understands the community’s frustrations with people in east Auckland treating the area like a rubbish dump, general manager waste solutions Justine Haves previously told the Times.
“We’re aware of unfenced, empty sites being used as places to dump rubbish and we’re working with property owners in Flat Bush to help prevent dumping and identify offenders.
“We’re aware of ongoing illegal dumping on empty sites and developments, particularly in Flat Bush, and have been working with property owners to help prevent dumping and identify offenders.
“Council has put up cameras in some areas to identify offenders and has received reports from witnesses. As a result, fines have been issued to offenders.”
People caught illegally dumping rubbish will be ordered to remove it and can be fined up to $400.
Serious offenders may also be prosecuted with a maximum penalty of $30,000.
