Help the Thames-Coromandel District Council keep the peninsula clean by letting them know if you see anyone dumping rubbish illegally.

Compliance team leader Steve Hart says items council regularly sees dumped in Coromandel waterways or bush include mattresses, chairs and curtains, as well as older models of whiteware.

Two men were spotted dumping kingfish and kahawai fish frames along the water's edge at Buffalo Beach recently. Photo: TCDC

Monitoring will be targeted around remote sites on the Coromandel where we find fly-tipping often occurs.

'We would like the public to get behind our illegal rubbish dumping campaign by letting us know if they see anyone physically dumping anything – from blue bags to larger household items – in places they shouldn't be,” says Steve.

Anyone caught intentionally dumping rubbish illegally on the side of the road or tipping it down a bank somewhere on the Coromandel could be prosecuted with a maximum fine of up to $20,000 and will also be publicly named and shamed.

Council will also be hitting people with instant $400 fines for dumping fish waste and shellfish such as kina on reserves and beaches.

'What we are finding is fish frames and offal being dumped on beaches or beside boat ramps which can be dangerous for anyone walking the beach. Also dumping fish carcasses and the like can be extremely unpleasant for anyone swimming.”

Recently council's bylaws team cleared away 10 kingfish and kahawai bodies from Buffalo Beach after the dumping was phoned in by a concerned local.

Steve says the Buffalo Beach local saw two men in a utility vehicle walk down to the beach and dump the fish frames onto the edge of the water.

'Our beaches and reserves are not dumping grounds for anyone to throw any type of waste or rubbish and anyone caught doing so in future can expect hefty instant fines.”

The resident provided the registration number of the vehicle to council compliance officers, who are now following up.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF RUBBISH

Fish frames and waste should either be composted, buried in gardens or taken out into deeper water.

Recyclable items can also be taken to the refuse transfer stations, the Seagull Centre in Thames, op-shops, charities and other places who might be more than happy to take them off your hands.

From December 26 through to February, kerbside collections will run up to three times a week in some areas, and for more details visit council's Kerbside Refuse and Recycling Collection webpage.

Refuse Transfer Stations in Thames, Coromandel Town, Matarangi, Whitianga, Tairua and Whangamata will also be open longer from December 21. For opening hours visit council's Refuse Transfer Stations webpage.

If you see anyone illegally dumping rubbish, take a picture and email it to the Customer Service team at [email protected] or via the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Facebook page.

You can also get in touch with council's Customer Service team on 07 868 0200.