Disturbing discovery in rubbish illegally dumped on the Coromandel

While being filmed for a One News story, our compliance offiers made disturbing discoveries while searching illegally dumped rubbish on the summit of Kuaotunu Hill.

Oone of our officers found a sealed box containing several hundred rounds of live ammunition among the illegally dumped rubbish - a practice known as "fly dumping."

The ammunition could have easily found its way into the wrong hands including children who often play around a picnic table only 10 metres from the dumping.

Our officer then found a sheet on the grass next to the walking track and lifted it to find a large amount of broken window glass. If anyone had stepped on the sheet with bare feet they would have received significant cuts.

The majority of the rubbish was from a single offender we were able to locate from the evidence at the scene.

The ammunition was given to the police for their investigation.

Contractors cleaned up the site son after the discovery and costs will be sought from the offender.

Our Compliance Team Leader Steve Hart says he is appalled that individuals continue to dump rubbish into our otherwise pristine environment.

"We were really shocked to discover such a quantity of live ammunition and dangerous items such as shards of glass covered with a sheet so close to a picnic site. Unfortunately fly dumping is not uncommon at this location and we will work with the New Zealand Transport Authority who own the land and the police to deal with the offender and will look at methods to monitor the site more closely," he says.

Watch the ONE News story here

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