Illegal dumping along the Cardrona riverbed has been ongoing for years but one elected member has had enough and has called on the council to investigate and take action.

Wanaka Community Board member Ed Taylor described the mass of dumped waste, including car bodies, animal carcasses and household rubbish, as “Wanaka’s dirty little secret”.

A recent clean up by members of the Mt Barker Residents Association resulted in more than a tonne of rubbish being picked up in around two hours.

Vehicle access off Ballantyne Road, near the Cardrona River bridge, made it easy to dump rubbish out of sight amongst the riverbed bush and Queenstown Lakes District Council signage banning dumping needs to be improved, Ed said.

“There are currently a couple of very small signs near the Ballantyne Road bridge which are not easily read from the road. I have asked the council to come up with something bigger which clearly spells out the consequences if someone is caught.”

Ed Taylor

The access road leading to the riverbed is popular with walkers, bikers and horse riders, and provides access to several private properties.

“People out walking, exercising their dogs, or riding their horse shouldn’t have to navigate around rubbish and rotting carcasses,” he said.

Ed has also asked council about the possibility of restricting vehicle access to the area, but said it’s not straightforward. “I understand there are people who may have genuine reasons for needing to get their cars into this general area so this would be a last resort.”  

Members of the public who witness people illegally dumping rubbish could also play their part by helping identify the culprits, Ed said.

“Just take a note of the day and time, and if you can note down the licence plate number, and then hand it over to the council, their enforcement officers will follow it up. People need to remember that this is a public area for the enjoyment of everyone.  

Dried and dead vegetation near the road makes it easy to dump rubbish. 

“Let’s hope that better signage and more people dobbing in offenders will make a difference in the first instance,” he said.

Wanaka resident Clare Fowler, who recently biked the riverbed road, said she was disheartened to learn of the dumping. As a child she used to play in the riverbed and suggested if the council developed the area, cleared out the dead bush, improved the state of the road or built a proper walking/biking track, and created picnic areas, more people would use the area and the dumping would likely reduce. 

“It’s been neglected,” she said, “but it could be improved with a river trail where kids can ride their bikes, and people can walk with their buggies; and have picnic areas. We could get rid of the rough vegetation and do some planting.”

She said some of Wanaka’s other trails, such as the Outlet Track between the Clutha River outlet and Albert Town, were overcrowded with users especially in the summer and a new trail alongside the Cardrona River would be a great option.

‘It's a nice alternative from the lake, too. The lake can be windy or busy with jet boats. This is a lovely area to bring the kids, or a book and a pot of tea,” Clare said. “And, as a ratepayer, I absolutely would be willing to pay to have this developed.”

PHOTOS: Wanaka App