The illegal dumping and sourcing of soil at Scurr Heights, Wanaka, was at the cost of the community, Queenstown Lakes District Council Wanaka operations manager Chris Hawker said.

"There are some people in the community who seem to believe that Scurr Heights is both a dumping ground for waste and a source for their own soil," Mr Hawker said.

Scurr Heights was a community owned subdivision, which was being developed by Council on behalf of the community.

"Any illegal dumping and removal of soil has a significant cost to the community, it is ignorance to think otherwise," he said.

Any future illicit dumping or taking of soil would be referred to the police.

"The Council provides locations for waste materials to be dumped; this information is readily available from the Wanaka Council Service Centre," he said.

The Council planned to keep a regular check on the area during the holiday period.

"Offenders will be treated accordingly," Mr Hawker said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Chris Hawker 03 443 8197.

By: Kiri