Letters to the editor: Using Rotorua landfill a scary exercise

Rotorua landfill. Photo / File

I dropped off a car-load of rubbish at Rotorua landfill recently.

You back your car up inside a big, open-front shed, then get out and unload. To get there I was a passed on a narrow, unsealed, rock strewn, very dusty road by rubbish trucks.

On one occasion I drove blind through dust created by one of them.

Inside the drop-off zone, I was dwarfed by trucks and a big grader which was pushing huge piles of rubbish to the back of the building.

The floor was littered by objects which may have had the potential to damage my car tyres. It is a hazardous and scary exercise to drop off rubbish at the Rotorua landfill. Not to mention hard on the car.

I am not blaming the individuals working there who are doing their best within a flawed system. I hold Rotorua Lakes Council responsible, even if it has contracted the operation out.

Rubbish disposal is its fundamental responsibility and one of the reasons we pay rates.
For a small, domestic user like myself the thought of needing to visit the place is one of apprehension. I would even say it is a health and safety issue.

All a bit disheartening when there is so much illegal dumping of rubbish on the side of the road.

It hardly encourages us citizens to do the right thing.

Lesley Haddon
Rotorua

Don't forget this Christmas

This is a lovely time of the year - despite the lack of snow.

The shops are full of gifts and people, and the carols are coming thick and fast on the radio.

I worked in London for many years and in Canadian cities for several more which meant my previous Christmases were either white or cold and wet - okay for those of us dressed up warm and wearing good clothes and looking forward to a hot drink and a good meal.

This, however, was not the option for the thousands huddled under newspapers or - if they were lucky - blankets and cardboard boxes. They considered themselves lucky if they got a drink let alone a meal.

Thus, for some of us, Christmas became a time of joy, family, and laughter but it also brought sorrow - we had to walk past the ones sitting or lying on the streets, knowing there was not a lot we could do other than toss a few pennies into their tin cups.

It is not much different here, apart from the warmer weather and the lovely willingness of Kiwis to help.

Please, don't forget them, many do not know where or when their next meal is coming, for many it is not their fault, not all of us are able to control our tomorrows.

Jim Adams
Rotorua

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