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Illegal dumpers have gatecrashed the annual household junk collection for residents around Lonely Track Rd, emptying trailers and car boots to such an extent that the North Shore City Council yesterday mounted an emergency clean-up operation.
Residents were expecting the kerbside collection of inorganic rubbish to take place next week but "fly tippers" soon engulfed the road reserve with additional rubbish.
"It's a small section of road but is a notorious hot spot for dumping from a wider area," said council waste minimisation manager Warwick Jaine.
"We are keeping an eye on it and will have it cleaned away by morning."
Deputy Mayor Julia Parfitt has fielded a stream of complaints from citizens. "The inorganic collection is a much loved part of our city calendar. It would be shame if irresponsible behaviour like this led to council scrapping it."
The illegal dump is on the border with Rodney District, which does not have its own collection.
Neighbouring Waitakere City Council has decided to stop its kerbside collection because of complaints associated with junk piles.
From January, Waitakere residents can, for a fee of $11.25, call up and book a collection.
