Councils getting tough on rural litterers

People who dump rubbish on the rural roads that divide the city and the Manawatu District Council are coming under the close scrutiny of both Councils.

The Head of the City Council’s Environmental Protection Services, Wayne Jameson, says the problem of dumping rubbish is gradually getting worse and both Councils are determined to identify who is littering the rural roads.

In the last few weeks the Councils have erected signs warning people that camera surveillance has been introduced. A mobile camera has been installed on one of the roads where rubbish is being dumped and will be moved regularly to other targets.

“If people are identified dumping rubbish through camera surveillance or Council staff patrolling the area then either the City Council, the Manawatu District Council or Horizons Regional Council will prosecute,” Wayne Jameson says.

“Horizons becomes involved if the rubbish enters the waterways and has the potential to become a health hazard.”

Thousands of ratepayers’ dollars are spent each year picking up rubbish and Councils would prefer to use that funding for more effective purposes.

“I’m certain residents living in the rural roads would rather do something else with their time than tidying up the frontage to their properties following the dumping of litter,” Wayne comments.