Big rise in illegal dumping of rubbish

BY CLAIRE CONNELL

Illegal dumping of waste, including rotting pig carcasses, car parts, used nappies and old furniture, has soared in Marlborough over the past decade.

Cases of illegal dumpings of household rubbish increased from 63 in 1999 to 200 in 2009, according to Marlborough District Council records.

Cases of illegal dumping of garden waste increased from 96 in 2002 to 277 last year.

In addition, 77 cases of dumped offal were reported last year.

However, only 15 per cent of offenders were caught in 2009, down from 33 per cent in 1999.

Marlborough District Council litter control officer Kevin Hawkins said culprits were hard to pin down because they knew rubbish was searched, so they often removed any identifying features. Offenders regularly dumped rubbish at night or in remote locations where there were no witnesses.

When people were caught, their excuses included high dump fees or the dump being closed, he said.

Frequently targeted spots included the Wairau River Protection Reserve (between the Wairau Diversion and State Highway 6), Conders Forest, Omaka River, Whites Bay and Rarangi.

Dumped offal had hygiene problems because often it became infected with maggots or turberculosis, and dogs sometimes rolled in it. Despite the long-term trend, Department of Conservation campgrounds and amenities ranger Kevin McGrath gave the wider public a "pat on the back" for a relatively good summer rubbish-wise.

He had come across fewer illegal dumpings than in past summers, and campers and day-trippers visiting Whites Bay and Onamalutu seemed to be well behaved, Mr McGrath said. "Most people are being considerate and taking their rubbish away with them."

Mr McGrath attributed the rise in illegal dumping over the decade to an increase in the transient population, which, he said, often did not have the same love or respect for Marlborough as its permanent residents.

Mr Hawkins said the public were good at reporting illegal dumping of rubbish. "They don't want to see our beautiful reserves covered with illegal rubbish and offal either."

Calls from the public would be treated in confidence.

People caught dumping rubbish faced prosecution and a maximum fine of $5000.

- The Marlborough Express