By Patrick Manning , Massey journalism student
South Wairarapa District Council wants the community to dob in suspicious vehicles after large piles of bitumen were illegally dumped at an intersection outside Martinborough.
The bitumen was left at the Hinekura Road and Longbush Road intersection which has previously been the site for illegal dumping of household waste.
The council has put illegal dumping signs in the area, warning that offenders can be prosecuted and fined up to $5000.
The site was cleaned up, and access was closed off this week to deter future dumping at the site.
The intersection is used regularly by vehicles doing burnouts as recently as last weekend, which has damaged the road, the council said.
Infrastructure Committee chairman Aidan Ellims said illegal dumping hurt the environment and saddles ratepayers with clean-up costs.
"With fly-tipping, where evidence allows, the council actively investigates and prosecutes offenders.
"We have reported this incident to police and will be taking other measures to detect the perpetrators.
"We encourage anyone who may know something about this illegal dumping to report it safely and anonymously to the council and the police."
Cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish was expensive, Ellims said.
"The clean up and cost of closing off the area will be just over $3300. And this is on top of clean up costs of past incidents, including $145,000 to clean up the illegal dump site along Cape Palliser Road in 2025."
"Ironically, the bitumen which was dumped can be recycled and used in roading projects. Contractors across Wairarapa have approved dump sites to safely dispose of this material."
In addition to cost, abandoned waste can damage ecosystems, pollute waterways, harm wildlife and degrade soil and plant life, he said.
"Dumping waste like this shows a complete lack of respect for our environment and for the people who call South Wairarapa home.
"Our community takes pride in this place and it's unacceptable that a small number of people are willing to damage it and leave others to foot the bill."
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