Unlawful garbage pits a rising downside

Homeowners of life-style blocks are being reminded of the principles round buried waste, as an rising variety of unlawful garbage pits are found.

Setting Canterbury compliance groups say it’s a rising downside throughout the area, with at the very least seven found in 2022 alone.

The pits are usually between one and 4 metres deep, with soil positioned on high of the contaminated materials to cowl it.

James Tricker, Setting Canterbury regional chief of compliance, says there might be extra instances that haven’t come to gentle.

“What we’re coping with might be simply the tip of the iceberg. Some folks might be doing it out of real ignorance, however others will know they’re breaking the regulation,” he says.

Offenders could face enforcement motion, together with written warnings, abatement notices, infringement notices or prosecution. There may be additionally a restoration value to cowl employees time.

The landowner will even have to take away the waste, get rid of it appropriately, and supply proof of doing so.

In some instances, soil testing could also be carried out for proof of contamination. If contamination is confirmed, it may very well be listed towards the property on the Listed Land Use Register (LLUR).

On properties bigger than 20ha, sure varieties of garbage pits are permitted – with situations. For instance, a refuse disposal pit should be lower than 50m2 in quantity. It additionally must be designed in a means that stops opposed results on water and soil high quality, to assist shield groundwater that neighbours drink. The waste should be freed from hazardous substances, agrichemicals and agrichemical containers – and been produced on the property. Pits can solely be used if there isn’t a kerbside or native authority refuse assortment out there.

Offal pits should even be smaller than 50m2 and are restricted to at least one pit per 100ha of property per yr.