Illegal Burning

Rodney District Council is reminding people not to burn rubbish illegally to prevent unnecessary callouts.

Auckland Regional Council rules do not allow people living in the urban areas of Rodney to burn rubbish and garden waste. The rules are designed to stop the air pollution that results from fires and to prevent fires from becoming a nuisance to neighbouring properties.

Until recently, the New Zealand Fire Service responded to after hours callouts about smoke nuisance. A new 24 hour response service is now in place whereby Rodney District Council will respond to complaints about illegal burning both during the daytime and after hours. The New Zealand Fire Service will continue to respond to emergency callouts.

New Zealand Fire Service Volunteer Support Officer Ted Fuller says the Council should now be the first point of contact for people to report complaints about smoke nuisance to at all times of the day. People should still contact the fire service for emergency callouts.

Rodney District Council Environmental Health Manager Ian Farrell says that smoke from rubbish and garden waste fires create a nuisance to neighbours and attending unnecessary callouts add to the cost of rates which could be spent on other services.

Illegal burning can also cause and aggravate health problems like asthma, for people living nearby.

Rubbish collection, recycling and composting are safer options for disposing of rubbish.

People can contact the Council to report illegal burning on 0800 426 5169. If the fire poses a danger to people or property, the emergency services should be contacted on 111.