Riverbed dumping of tyres costs ECan ratepayers

The 800-1000 tyres that were found discarded at the Selwyn River earlier this month. Photo: Supplied
The 800-1000 tyres that were found discarded at the Selwyn River earlier this month. Photo: Supplied
Rubbish dumping in the Selwyn riverbed continues to cost ratepayers.

Earlier this month, a pile of 800 to 1000 tyres were discovered dumped in the riverbed near the Old South Rd ford north of Dunsandel.

The tyres have now been removed and will be recycled, but the incident will cost $5000.

Environment Canterbury Selwyn Waihora Zone lead Gillian Jenkins said it is a frustrating waste of ratepayers’ money that could be put to better use elsewhere.

“It’s really disappointing to see rubbish dumped in our riverbeds.

“The community values its rivers, and incidents like this threaten to undo all the hard work that the community in Selwyn is putting in to improving our catchment,” she said.

Gillian Jenkins.
Gillian Jenkins.
Jenkins encourages people to contact ECan if they see something suspicious.

“The ratepayer should not have to bear the cost of this illegal activity,” she says.

Selwyn Waihora Water Zone committee co-chair Les Wanhalla said the river and its bed are important public and recreational spaces, and it’s disheartening to see them being used as a rubbish dump.

“The Waikirikiri/Selwyn River is the heart of our region, and it hurts to see selfish people treating it this way.”

  • If you see suspicious activity or rubbish being dumped, collect the details of the vehicle, location and report it to ECan’s Incident reporting line 0800 76 55 88 or by using the Snap Send Solve app.