Council Offers Cash for Information About Illegal Rubbish Dumpers

A $100 bounty will be offered to people with information that helps the Far North District Council identify illegal rubbish dumpers. The council has received 284 complaints about illegal dumping since November last year, resulting in it issuing about 30 fines. But the money it recovers from fines doesn’t cover rubbish removal and disposal costs which total about $60,000 a year. It wants to create a zero tolerance culture around illegal rubbish dumping and is looking to the public to dob in dirty dumpers. “We are offering a ‘bounty’ of $100 for information and a further $200 where this leads to a successful prosecution,” infrastructure and asset manager David Penny says. Mr Penny asks the community to get behind the campaign to end illegal rubbish dumping which threatens the district’s two biggest earners and employers – farming and tourism. “The potential damage to streams and waterways and the impact this could have on these two essential industries is enormous.” The council will monitor illegal dump sites and impose instant fines of up to $400 or prosecute rubbish dumpers through the courts with the possibility of fines of up to $5000 for each offence. “Cameras are being used at known illegal dumping spots and we will pursue any person who ignores the no dumping signs.” It will also get tougher on people who don’t buy pre-paid stickers or bags and dump their rubbish in designated collection points or at transfer stations outside advertised drop-off or opening times. “Surely a $2.50 to $3 bag or sticker is better than running the risk of a $400 fine.” Phone 0800 920 029 if you have information about illegal rubbish dumpers.