Truckload of junk dumped roadside

EYESORE: A truckload of rubbish was dumped just after dark at a rest area on Western Lake Rd, South Wairarapa, on Tuesday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The overnight dumping of a truckload of junk and household rubbish at a lay-by on Western Lake Rd, Featherston, has astonished and outraged South Wairarapa District Council staff.

Council bylaw officer Andrew McEwan said the mountain of rubbish was dumped in the period from "dusk to dark" and was reported to the council by people travelling the road.

So much rubbish was dumped it would have needed to be taken to the rest area by truck.

"There is far too much of it to just be a trailer load," Mr McEwan said.

From the manner in which the load was dumped, it seemed likely a tip truck was used to discard its contents in the rest area, towards the Featherston end of the road that links the town to the shores of Lake Wairarapa and ultimately the coast.

Mr McEwan said it was by far the worst case of illegal dumping for years and showed a "total disregard for the environment".

Left at the side of the road was a mountain of broken kitchen and lounge furniture, a soiled queen-sized mattress, broken plumbing fittings, old plastic buckets, car seats, cardboard beer cartons, tins and beer cans.

It could be the contents of a house or flat that was cleaned out prior to shifting.

Mr McEwan said initial inquiries had narrowed the timeline of the dumping down and now a concerted effort would be made to find those responsible.

To help track down the culprits, the council is calling on anyone who saw what happened, or noticed anything suspicious on the road, to contact Mr McEwan on (06) 306 9611.

Mr McEwan said if those responsible were found the council would prosecute them and that under section 15 of the Litter Act they would be facing a fine of up to $5000.