A company found to have been dumping a huge pile of scrap metal in South Auckland without a resource consent has been ordered by Auckland Council to clean up its act.
Compliance officers have issued two abatement notices requiring the company to stop importing the material to 30 Great South Rd Takanini and to remove it all.
Officers were acting on a complaint made at the end of April that the large pile of scrap had been dumped in the previous couple of days.
A compliance officer visited the site and was told by a company representative that the land was being leased and the scrap was being stored there temporarily, while they clean up their main site in Onehunga, which requires storm water controls and a cap.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says this is no excuse for the reckless and illegal dumping of vast amounts of scrap metal.
“This is one of the biggest piles of scrap metal that council has ever seen dumped without consent. It’s not only an eyesore but also an environmental risk, with the potential for things including oil and chemicals to runoff onto the site and leach into the ground.
“Aucklanders are sick and tired of a minority of individuals flouting the rules.
“We have invested more resources to tackle illegal dumping and Aucklanders have responded strongly by reporting dumpers when they see them.”
Auckland Council’s GM Licensing and Regulatory Services James Hassall says the company has until 10 June to comply with the abatement notices.
“If they fail to comply, the council would consider taking further action including prosecution under the Resource Management Act, which carries a maximum penalty of $600,000 for a company,” he says.
Residents who see dumped rubbish are encouraged to get as much information as possible and to call 0800 NO DUMP (0800 66 3867) or email inthebin@aklc.govt.nz
