Council targets rubbish dumpers with fines | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Masterton District Council may increase staff handing out fines to fly tippers after the illegal dumping of offensive rubbish.

Manager of parks and reserves Grant Hathaway said he couldn't give details about the incident because the council was weighing up legal action but was now "looking closely" at increasing staff to hand out $400 instant fines.

Illegal dumping is a constant problem for the council, with the banks of the Waipoua River and rural road verges popular targets.

Mayor Garry Daniell said a rise in illegal dumping was due to tight financial times and not because the council increased dump fees in July.

He said increased enforcement could see council staff tasked with watching out for dumpers but ruled out "litter police".

Mr Daniell said he was disgusted not just by fly tippers but other small-scale littering in Masterton.

"I go past the northern roundabout every day and I'm appalled with the people who park out at the river bank and just leave rubbish there. They just push it out their car door."

The council could - under the The Litter Act - charge a single offender $400 instantly and up to $5000 if the matter went to court.

A court may also force a convicted offender to clear the litter or rubbish or order the person to pay any costs for a clean-up.

When large amounts of waste were found the council often searched for material to track down dumpers. It has stepped up a publicity campaign to warn fly tippers they will be fined if caught.