Goldfields School pupils are on a mission to stop their greenways turning into brownways.

The children took their plea to the Cromwell Community Board last week, asking members to help stop the problem.

In a powerpoint and verbal presentation in the public forum backed up by visual poster aids, pupils cited examples of a growing dog poo and rubbish problem in Cromwell, and the main culprits as “dog owners and lazy humans”.

 “We can’t blame the dogs! Do you see them with hands and the ability to pick up poo with a poo bag? Doubt it! The world may be modern and there may be robots popping up, plus Artificial Intelligence, but dogs that can pick up their own poo, come on, that’s up to the owner. Do you agree? Okay so if we all agree, why is it that there is stinky and squishy poo all over our greenways? As for rubbish, well, that is a whole new problem.”

Cromwell’s greenways were “beautiful and unique and we need to keep it that way”. 

Kids loved to roll around on them and the last thing they wanted to do was roll in dog poo, they said.

We also needed to be mindful of our reputation to tourists and that the council needed to be harder on people and fine them for not picking up dog poo and rubbish. 

“Rubbish and dog poo are ruining our clean, green, lovely Cromwell environment.”

They asked the Community Board to invest in bins to be placed at the start of a main walking track such as the Goldfield’s track between Jollys Rd and Cromwell College.

“Without a doubt, the dog owner would have a more respectful conscience if they see a bin or a tub of poo bags available, don’t you think? We would! We also believe that having fresh signs placed around our Turangawaewae would help dog owners,” the pupils stated in their presentation.

 Central Otago District Council’s planning and regulatory services manager Lee Webster, who was briefed about the children’s visit after the meeting, commended them on taking the initiative to help tackle this issue.

“They’re absolutely right; owners need to take responsibility for themselves and their dogs and clean up after them. Well done Goldfields School pupils for taking the time to highlight the issue in our community.”

Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison thanked the pupils for coming to the meeting.

“It was great to see the children take an interest in looking after their town and bringing to light the rubbish and dog poo issue and bringing solutions to the table. They presented beautifully and represented themselves and their school and their whanau with distinction.”