People are illegally dumping rubbish in parts of Central Otago, often within five minutes’ drive of one of the district’s many transfer stations.

Central Otago District Council (CODC) has received 17 reports of illegal dumping since July 1, 2023 until now.

There were 35 reports from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

In recent times there have been large household items dumped in the pines area in Alexandra and over an embankment at the lookout carpark on Blacks Hill near Ophir.

CODC infrastructure manager Quinton Penniall said often reports were close to where the items could have been disposed of legally.

“Many of the illegal dumping requests, which council receives, are for public areas within five minutes’ drive of the nearest transfer station.”

He said while there was not a dedicated role for the monitoring of illegal dumping around the district, staff do report it if they see it while doing their work, which is then passed on to the contractor to collect the items as soon as possible.

People who illegally dump items, and can be identified, can expect to receive an infringement notice.

Anyone caught dumping less than 1 litre of rubbish could receive a $100 fine, 1 litre to 30 litres $200, and 30 litres to 60 litres $300.

People who are caught dumping more than 60 litres, garden waste, building materials or furniture could expect a $400 fine.

CODC infrastructure manager Quinton Penniall

Quinton said it did not appear that illegal dumping had increased following the closure of Alexandra Wastebusters, the former recycling facility and reuse shop, which closed last June.

Yesterday, the CODC announced it would increase services available at the council’s transfer stations, with e-waste to be made available in Alexandra, Cromwell, Ranfurly and Roxburgh from Monday, February 26. 

The service includes all forms of TVs, computers, laptops and computer equipment, printers, photocopiers, household appliances, stereo systems and gaming consoles.

A barbecue found dumped in the pines, near Alexandra. PHOTO: The Central App

Recycling costs for the e-waste will be passed on to the customer.

The CODC will cover the transportation costs on a trial basis for about the first six months to reduce the costs for customers, with Waste Minimisation Funding from the Ministry for the Environment.

Waste (used engine) oil recycling will also be introduced on Monday, February 26 to the Alexandra and Cromwell transfer stations.

Waste oil will be accepted in domestic quantities (25 litres) at a cost of $2 per litre. 

Bunded tanks are available at both locations to store the waste oil, before being collected by Salters Cartage, which is based in Auckland, Fielding, and Christchurch.

All waste oil collected is processed before being used at the Kinleith and Kawerau pulp and paper mills to power the kilns.

Illegal dumping can be reported to the CODC via an online form.