Council urges public to dob in fly tippers

Rubbish left at the popular Ohau swimming hole.

Household rubbish has again been dumped at one of Levin's popular swimming areas, the Ohau River, which is also the source of the town's drinking water supply.

Horowhenua District Council's environmental engineer Ryan Hughes said on average council receives about nine reports of fly tipping per month, and is able to issue infringements for seven - about a 78 per cent success rate.

"We take a zero-tolerance approach to fly tipping and act on any reports with haste.

A couch left in the Ohau River.

"Where the offenders are identified, either through vehicle licence plates or information found in the rubbish, a $400 fine will usually be issued within the week, if not the same day."

Mr Hughes said council relies heavily on public reports of fly tipping, and anyone who sees it is asked to capture as much information as possible, including photos of people in the act or of the rubbish after it's been dumped, licence plate numbers of the offending vehicles, anything identifying the offenders and the location of fly tipping.

"We're able to issue infringements to 100 per cent of the reports that include either licence plate numbers, personal information found, or information obtained via CCTV footage."

Mr Hughes said it is very disappointing that some people show such disrespect for the environment by illegally dumping their rubbish.

Council provides waste transfer stations in Foxton, Shannon and Levin (Levin is operated by Midwest Disposals), as well as providing recycling stations throughout the district and kerbside rubbish and recycling collection services.

Photos of people fly tipping can be emailed to enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz
Reports with licence plate numbers can be phoned in to the council on (06) 366-0999 at any time of day or night.

For more information, visit the Rubbish and Recycling pages on the council's website www.horowhenua.govt.nz, or contact council on (06) 366-0999 or enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz