The rubbish is strewn around a former gravel-dredging area by the Clutha River, off Barnego Rd on the outskirts of Balclutha. When the Otago Daily Times visited the site there was a washing machine, five containers labelled as agricultural products, sheep remains, and household waste among the rubbish dumped on gravel and in the grass.
The Balclutha man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he was concerned about the contents of five containers, which possibly contained drench or another agricultural product.
''I have no idea what is in there. It could be something toxic. We're right beside the river.''
Clutha District Council planning and environment manager Murray Brass said the Litter Act made it illegal for anyone to deposit rubbish of any kind on to land without approval of the landowner. If the land was not privately owned, the dumped rubbish was breaching the council's bylaws.
While he was unsure if the land was public or privately owned, council staff would visit the area today or tomorrow.
''When we can trace the rubbish we can issue fines, or in more serious cases we can prosecute.''
In 2008, the council introduced a new bylaw with a two-tier infringement system for those caught littering. Small to medium cases of littering can result in instant fines of either $100 or $400, while major cases go before the courts.
The council successfully prosecuted a man in 2008 for dumping rubbish near Clinton. He was convicted and fined $1000 and ordered to pay $101 reparation after dumping a trailer-load of rubbish at a layby in September 2007.
Mr Brass asked the public to report vehicle registrations or other identifying details if people were suspected of illegally dumping rubbish.
