Oven cliffhanger raises illegal dumping issue

An oven dumped over the cliff north of Ōrewa was perched precariously above the beach, presenting a risky removal job for Auckland Council contractors. On February 20, abseilers efficiently hauled the oven up the cliff, but it’s a job that, repeated all over the city, costs ratepayers. In the last financial year, collecting dumped items cost $2.1m and disposal/recycling of them added $215,000. Council also tries to determine who is responsible. Eco Maintenance is contracted by Council to collect dumped rubbish. Reg Walker, who oversaw the Ōrewa operation, says items are thrown down banks an...