Motorists who drive past the Taieri Lookout in Three Mile Hill Rd may have noticed a crashed Nissan Skyline has been there for some time.
Ravensbourne resident Jarrod Hodson, who has worked in the automotive industry for 40 years, said he had been driving past the site for weeks.
It was evident that engine oils leaking from the car had seeped into the dirt, he said.
‘‘The longer the car's left there, the more that just trickles out — it's leaking the toxins ... antifreeze is extremely toxic and it seeps into waterways.
‘‘Then you've got the oils — when they've already been operating in the car, they're full of heavy metals as well.
‘‘It is quite a serious environmental hazard.’’
None of the windows were broken when the crash first happened, although yesterday all were broken and glass was scattered around the area, he said.
‘‘It's just adding to the problem ... who's going to pick up all that glass?’’
If the car was insured, the insurance company was being negligent by not collecting the car, he said.
If it was uninsured, then it was classed as abandoned and up to the Dunedin City Council to remove.
A council spokesman said it was aware of the vehicle and understood it had been taped off.
‘‘Our staff will only remove vehicles involved in a crash once police are happy for us to do so.
‘‘We are seeking to contact the registered owner and check on any plans for its removal.’’
If that was unsuccessful, the council would be in touch with police to confirm whether they could remove it as an abandoned vehicle, he said.
There were no drains in the area and if anyone was worried about environmental pollution, they should report their concerns to the Otago Regional Council pollution phone line, he said.
