Council seeks information on dumped concrete
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is seeking information about a large pile of concrete that has been illegally dumped at Thompson’s Track, near Katikati.
It is one of several offences at this location in recent months - three large plastic containers, with unknown contents, have also been discarded down the bank, along with green waste, whiteware, furniture, bags of clothing, and other household items.
“We’re hoping someone will be able to help us shed some light on where it has come from,” says Katie McHugh, Council’s Solid Waste Operations Lead.
“The fact that it’s reinforced concrete, means it’s likely to have come from a commercial or construction site rather than a private home. If you think you saw it being transported or have any information about where it might have come from, we’d really like to hear from you.”
Thompson’s Track is a legal road corridor that crosses the Kaimaī Range, between Katikati and Manawaru. Past the maintained gravelled section of the road, it becomes an unmaintained dirt track, popular with 4WD users, hunters, and trampers.
The site where the waste was dumped is at the end of the maintained gravel section, and spans both Council and Department of Conservation (DOC) land.
Council and DOC are working together to remove the concrete and other dumped waste, with the clean-up estimated to cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
It costs Council around $150,000 a year to remove and dispose of waste that is illegally dumped across the rohe (District), says Katie.
“If we are able to identify who is responsible, we on-charge those costs, but that’s often difficult, as illegal dumping usually happens in remote or hard-to-see areas where people think they won’t be caught.”
To curb the problem, Council is installing a gate at the entrance to the track – something that is supported by DOC.
Under the Local Government Act 1974, Council can determine which part of the road can be a footpath or cycleway (section 319), and it can also put a gate across an unformed road (section 344).
“We hope this will help protect the natural environment by deterring people from dumping their waste in this beautiful location,” says Katie.
“While we’re restricting vehicle access, we’ll makes sure people can still access the area on foot, or with their mountain bikes, to enjoy this special place.”
She urged people to do the right thing and dispose of any waste at the appropriate facilities.
There are community recycling and green waste centres at Te Puke, Katikati and Athenree, as well as a green waste only centre in Ōmokoroa, she points out.
Any general waste that can’t be recycled should go to a refuse transfer station - the nearest for Western Bay residents being at Te Maunga and Waihī.
“We all want to live in a District we’re proud of. Keeping our rohe beautiful is up to all of us – so do the right thing, and if you see someone doing the wrong thing, speak up and let us know. Any calls will be treated as confidential.”
DOC Operations Supervisor Colette Wi says the team has been disappointed by the dumping at Thompson’s Track.
“It’s some of the worst we’ve seen, and cleanups are taking us away from our core work.
“We’re working closely with Western Bay of Plenty District Council to find long-term solutions.”
Dumping of illegal waste can be reported via the Antenno app, by emailing info@westernbay.govt.nz, or phoning 0800 TRASHY.
