9 January 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Illegal dumping on Dalbeth Road

Enquiry

A couple have contacted council about a dumping area on Dalberth Rd just shy of the intersection from St Highway 5.

Currently there is a deer carcass which has been stinking out the place plus large amounts of green and household rubbish. They have contacted the council and they haven't removed it yet but the issue has been going on for 10 years.

They would like council to take away the bush so people from the road would be able to see if people were dumping, in hopes it would stop people if they feared they would be seen dumping.

I'll flick through these questions but please let me know if there is someone you would prefer me to talk to.

- What is the councils normal procedure when dealing with illegal dumping areas?

- What is the councils response to the couple that have had to deal with the stench of rotting carcasses blowing into their property?

- How can the issue be resolved so that dumping in that area does not continue?

- Why have the council not been able to care for the area if this has been an ongoing issue?

- When can the couple expect the deer and other rubbish to be removed?

- What advice does the council have for other residents that are facing a similar problem in their area?

Destination Rotorua was also approached for comment:

In today's paper we had a story about rubbish dumping on SH5 near Dalbeth Rd. We've had a few people write letters off the back of this and so the decision has just been made to do a follow up story on this.

The person I've spoke to is saying this is a bad look for tourists and visitors to our town as it's the first thing they see coming in on SH 5 from the fitzgerald glade side.

I was wondering if Destination Rotorua could provide any comment along the lines of:

- is this a bad look for tourists and how it's not the message we want to send?

Response

Dalbeth Road

• After being assessed on Tuesday at midday (complaint was received Monday afternoon) it was confirmed that specialist machinery would be needed to remove the rubbish including the animal carcasses.
• The machinery is unavailable until Friday. The work is scheduled to be carried out then.
• Two years ago Council sprayed vegetation to clear the site to act as a deterrent to illegal dumping and more extensive removal of the vegetation will undertaken there as soon as this can be scheduled with the appropriate contractor.

General information about illegal dumping:

• Normal response times for illegal dumping depend on the type of rubbish, how much there is and the location and terrain. Sometimes specialist equipment, larger trucks or multiple staff members are needed to remove it. Sometimes those resources aren't available straight away.
• Animal carcasses are considered urgent and must be at least assessed within 24 hours of being reported as per our contract with Smart Environmental.
• The average cost of illegal dumping clean ups in Rotorua is about $100,000 a year.
• Evidence indicates that landfill costs are not a key factor in most cases because the majority of illegally dumped rubbish is household rubbish and recyclables that should be placed in people's wheelie bins or can be taken to the recycling centre or transfer stations.
• We want to encourage residents to look for alternatives to dumping like scrap metal yards, second hand stores if the items are still in good condition, or sharing trailers or skips and the cost of taking it to landfill. Also consider asking a friend, neighbour or another member of your whānau if they have space in their wheelie bin.
• Prosecution requires a high threshold of evidence - mail with names and addresses is considered only circumstantial evidence - and also comes at a significant cost with no guarantee of a positive result.
• Cameras used in dumping hot spots in the past have been either stolen or damaged. No matter how well we hide them people seem to find them. They also require power which is not always easily accessible in some parts of the district such as rural areas.
• Often when dumping happens it attracts more rubbish. People seem to feel that if rubbish is already there it won't matter if they add to it. Sort of a it'll get cleaned up anyway' mentality.
• The best successes have come from working alongside the community and implementing strategies that the community has suggested. For example in Mamaku Council worked with the community and the school to create murals that were used to encourage people to do the right thing. There has been a reduction in illegal dumping in this community since then.
• A sector of Rotorua's eastern suburbs got together with Mokoia Community Association to have a community clean-up day and skips were provided. Funding was sought through Council's Neighbourhood Matching Fund so there was no cost to the community and people could get rid of items that don't go in wheelie bins.
• Things like removing scrub and trees from problem areas in parks is another way to deter illegal dumping.
• Council supports community clean ups and there are multiple agencies that can fund all or parts of environmental focussed work so that there is no cost to the community.
• It is very difficult to try and stop illegal dumping because people just move the issue to another location. The issue really lies with people's behaviour.
• As far as Council is aware littering and illegal dumping in Rotorua is not as bad as it is in other centres.

How people can help:

• Encourage your friends and family to do the right thing. Not only does illegal dumping cost the community a lot of money, it also has a major impact on the environment.
• Report any dumped rubbish to Council as soon as possible so contractors can remove it before people add to it.
• Take your rubbish home with you. This will help stop public bins from overflowing in popular areas. And if bins are already overflowing, don't add to the pile, take the rubbish home and dispose of it in your wheelie bins.
• When reporting rubbish it is very helpful if you supply photos that have a location tag. This can be done by turning on your location services on your smart device before taking the photo. This enables contractors to go straight to the dumping site rather than spending time searching for the rubbish.
• If you witness illegal dumping do not approach the offenders but take notes or photos of the person and their vehicle. This can help with identification and prosecution.
• If your community/neighbourhood has an issue with litter and/or rubbish get together with your neighbours and contact Council for advice. Phone 07 348 4199, info@rotorualc.nz or via Facebook @rotorualakescouncil to see if there is a way our staff can support your initiatives.

From Destination Rotorua CE Michelle Templer:

Visitors to Rotorua regularly comment on how beautiful the city looks and I know a lot of work goes into maintaining our inner-city gardens and public spaces for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike. It's disappointing when people don't respect our shared spaces as this can have a negative impact on visitors' first impressions when they drive into our city.

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Media: Stuff

Topic: Members Bill re littering

Enquiry

Hoping to get some comment from [Mayor] Steve [Chadwick] if she's available?

It relates to the Members Bill from National that aims to see the on the spot fines for littering increased from $400 to $1000.

I wanted to ask Steve:

Would she back the idea of increased fines for littering?

National MP Scott Simpson (who tabled the Bill) said that in his constituency of Coromandel littering is a particular problem given the visitors they have. Do we face the same double issue - ie as a tourists town it's important to be as litter free as possible, yet we also have tourists and visitors contributing to the problem?

Response

In Mayor Chadwick's absence, the following comment was provided by Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson:

Littering does happen in Rotorua, as it does everywhere, but as far as we are aware it's a bigger problem in some other centres than it is here.

We have some proactive programmes in place which help.

Our inner city and surrounding parks (main lakefront area, Kuirau Park, Government Gardens) get cleaned every day and litter pick-up happens throughout each day in these areas.

Many of our businesses are proactive in picking up litter and Council supports schools and community groups who do clean-ups around the district. There are also some wonderful individuals who pick up litter of their own accord and there are groups that pick up litter on roadside areas they have adopted.

Since August last year Council has supported about 11 organised community clean-ups.

Regarding fines, infringements need to be in keeping with the gravity of the offence but instant fines aren't necessarily the best practical way to deter or put a stop to littering because it requires effective enforcement which requires resources councils don't necessarily have. The best way to reduce the problem may still be education, making littering unacceptable which therefore acts as a deterrent. Unfortunately, there will always be those who don't care and will litter regardless of anything that's put in place.

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Media: Rotorua Weekender (Daily Post)

Topic: Museum holiday activities

Enquiry

I'm working on a sort of general summer story for the Rotorua Weekender and thought it would be good to include a bit of information about the [Rotorua Museum Summer Pick-a-Path] Activity Sheet and wondered if I could just grab a few comments from someone around:

- Why this Activity Sheet is a great option for families this summer?

- What sorts of activities can children and families do with this Activity Sheet?

- Why is it important to check out/appreciate what Rotorua has to offer?

Response

Thanks for your interest in the Rotorua Museum Pick a Path Activity Trail.

I have attached a version if you want people to be able to download from your website or you can link to http://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/events/details/rotorua-museum-summer-pick-a-path-activity-sheet/

Please attribute all responses to Tori Williams, Rotorua Museum Events and Engagement Coordinator

The activity sheet showcases free activities that children and adults can do together throughout Rotorua. There are things to do in the rain or shine, at home or out and about, with lots to learn and explore. All those that complete the activity sheet go in the draw to win great prizes at the end of January.

There are a range of fun activities, from creating your own artwork with recyclable materials to learning Te Reo at the bilingual playground in Government Gardens. We are also encouraging conversation so talking to whānau members about their life and creating a story about Rotorua.

Rotorua offers so many different activities that are free and sometimes overlooked. There are plenty of places in our own backyard that are beautiful and amazing to explore so hopefully this makes families explore more of what is on offer.

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Media: Daily Post

Topic: Museum holiday activities

Enquiry

Reporter phoned saying the paper was informed BBQs at Rotoiti and Rotoma had been removed/stolen. Reporter was seeking information/confirmation.

Response

The reporter was informed that:

Other than a hotplate being taken from a BBQ at Rotoma, Council is unaware of any other vandalism of BBQs in the Rotoma and/or Rotoiti areas. The BBQ at Rotoma will be repaired.