Rubbish dumper caught and fined
23 April 2019
Dumping rubbish on the side of the road has seen a Cambridge resident slapped with a $400 fine.
Waipa District Council's contractor, Fibre Networks, last week discovered a large pile of trash, including beer and wine bottles, plastic and a fake Christmas tree, dropped down the side of the road on Parallel Road, Monavale.
Contracting staff reported the issue and also cleaned up the mess. An investigation led Council enforcement staff to identify and locate the middle-aged man responsible. When confronted by an enforcement officer, he admitted responsibility, saying he had been under stress.
Enforcement officer Ken Danby said illegal rubbish dumping caused major problems.
It is unsightly and it also attracts rats and is a health and safety risk because of what is dumped; food waste, sharp objects, dirty nappies - which is a favourite one. It's also time consuming for Council staff and costly to clear and it's ratepayers who bear the cost.
The enforcement comes as part of a Council crack down on illegal dumping.
This has been an ongoing problem for a long time and Council is determined to find and fine offenders. If we have sufficient evidence, we won't hesitate to take action. People are sick of this problem.
Danby said Council received many of its tip offs from members of the public eager to help tackle the issue.
We are heavily reliant on the public being vigilant. We need suspicious behaviour reported quickly and need key information like car registrations and descriptions supplied. Please don't go on social media and accuse people. Come to us and let us deal with it."
In the current financial year Council has received 93 illegal dumping complaints. In the 2017 - 2018 financial year 120 were received.