Rubbish dumped in stream

A cleaning contractor in Wellsford is asking locals to keep an eye out for a recidivist rubbish dumper, who is fouling up a stream with sacks of used nappies and household waste.

Last month, Dan, of Civic Contractors in Wellsford, was sent to clean up rubbish that had reportedly been thrown off a bridge near 180 Wellsford Valley Road.

It took the contractor hours to clear up the piles of household waste, which had become lodged in trees as well as carried along by the watercourse.

The stream is a tributary of the Topuni River, which feeds into the Kaipara Harbour.

When Dan drove by the site the next day, he ended up fuming after finding the stream area again littered with piles of rubbish bags.

“There were black sacks and kitchen bin bags filled with household waste, including used nappies, plastic bottles and cans,” Dan says.

“If you are buying kitchen bags then why not just get an orange Northland, Waste bag and dispose of it properly. There’s no excuse for it,” he says.

Dan is encouraging anyone who may have information or has witnessed rubbish dumping to call the Council on 0800 NO DUMP.

“New Zealand is trying to clean up its creeks and streams. Clearing up household waste is a waste of my time and council resources.”