Report dumped rubbish, pollution, pests, wasps, people/pets off track & other problems

What can we do if we see ...

... broken steps, vandalism, graffiti, wasp nests, cleaning station issues in a bush reserve?

• • For urgent issues (eg wasps, broken kauri dieback cleaning stations, vandalism in progress and broken walkways) where the issue is hazardous

    • Ring the Auckland Council 24-hour contact centre 09-301-0101

      • It's important to give precise location information.

      • We recommend that you ask for the call reference number.

  • or if it is not urgent, go to aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-it

    • It's preferable to send a photo of the problem and a description or the coordinates of the location.

      • Keep a note of the service number so you can follow the issue up.

      • Feel free to share your report with others on facebook.com/groups/FriendsOfLeRoysBush/ or Neighbourly.

      • Note: You can also track progress by reporting the problem using the myAUCKLAND online system.(if you keep your reference number).

• In either case, please share the issue on facebook.com/groups/FriendsOfLeRoysBush so that other people know the problem has been reported (please do not include confidential info on Facebook)

... illegally dumped rubbish?

• • Call 0800 NO DUMP (0800 663 867) for an urgent response

... pollution being discharged in the stream?

If you know the person responsible for the pollution and you feel comfortable talking to them, please do so.

Otherwise you can contact the Council to follow up:

• • You can report suspected pollution events – call the Auckland Council’s Pollution Hotline 09-377-3107 as soon as possible. Council officers will need to know the exact location of the pollution event and a description (what it looks like, any smell, where you think it’s coming from). Time is of the essence as water pollution has a habit of not staying in one place, making it very hard to trace it back to source. If you have photos or a photo map to send, the email address is ccenviro@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

  • Look out for things in streams like soapy suds, large amounts of oil (that coalesces when you poke it with a stick, there is a bacteria that produces a oil slick that breaks up with poking), muddiness in the water when there hasn’t been rain for more than a day, eels and other fish in distress and the sewage smell (and associated particles like toilet paper!).

  • A very common pollution occurrence in the Le Roys neighbourhood is people washing their cars on the street or driveways with the detergent making its way along the gutters and into the drains that connect to the stream. Detergent is often chock full of phosphorus that can adversely affect freshwater life. Often all people need is a friendly reminder of the consequences of their actions – this is what the pollution officers do every day so utilise their skills!

... sewage being discharged in the stream?

• • For issues relating to faults in any sewage system, phone WaterCare on 09-442 2222

• • • or submit a request on their OnLine Enquiry web page (no email address available):

http://www.watercare.co.nz/about-watercare/contact-us/online-enquiries/Pages/OnlineEnquiry.aspx

We are told that the sewage system is inadequate to manage major storms - so the sewer overflow each time there is a major downpour. Please report all overflow incidents - this means that Watercare will come and clean up the overflow, signs warning of health risks should be posted, hopefully the sewage system will be upgraded!

Sewage overflows can occur as a result of drain blockage (from fat buildup from restaurants etc, tree roots, etc) or from breaks in the pipeline. If you see any traces of sewage overflow, report it immediately - it could be the beginning of a more significant problem. Council officers can check that local restaurants have proper processes to trap fats and dispose of them to commercial collectors.

... kauri dieback or myrtle rust?

• To learn more about Kauri Dieback or to report suspected occurrences, see http://www.kauridieback.co.nz/

  • To learn more about Myrtle Rust, see documents attached below (May 2014) or look for updated information at http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/environmentwaste/pestsdiseases/

  • To report suspected occurrences, email: biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

... overgrown paths, rubbish, blocked drains

• • We have a few volunteers who are doing a wonderful job to complement the Council's track maintenance programme

  • If you report these issues to Council, they will call out their contractors, who will send a staff member to assess the situation; then the contractor will send a team

  • So if you notice a simple non-urgent task that volunteers maybe able to do, you could mention the task on the Le Roys Bush Facebook page - facebook.com/groups/FriendsOfLeRoysBush - and maybe someone will pick up the job and save us ratepayers a lot of money

  • We would be pleased to hear from any volunteers who'd like to help with this work.

... dogs off leash or people/pets off track

To protect the fragile native biodiversity, Le Roys Bush is classified as an "on leash" and "on track" reserve. It's important that people and pets stay on track and out of the bush and streams.

There are tiny beautiful geckos and growing whitebait in the streams which could be harmed by people and pets entering the pools or bush.

Also particularly, people and pets going into the bush increases the risk of spreading kauri dieback.

Note that a minority of dog owners believe that it's their right for their dogs to roam uncontrolled - be very circumspect in addressing these dog owners.

For dogs wandering off-leash — Dog control

Call Auckland Council on 0800 462 685 Hotline 24 hours, seven days

Some people tell us that they have spoken to dog owners who are unaware that the reserve is an on-leash area. The "dogs on leash" signage is sometimes missing at entrances and many dog users appear to ignore it. If you see that a sign is missing or if you see some other "off track" incident that you think needs to be reported, please report it on aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-it

... fireworks, smoking, etc?

• • Every November, Little Shoal Bay wetland is at risk from fireworks - if there has been a long dry period, the raupo can be like tinder and fire will race through the reserve until it reaches less flammable material. Keep a watch out for any signs of fire and call the fire brigade at any sign of risk.

  • Reserves are now no smoking areas. Smoking causes the risk of fire in reserves. Also the nicotine in butts is a major water pollutant and the plastic filters are non-biodegradable.

To see some items that have been reported for Le Roys Bush, go to the page Some events reported.

If you would like your issue reported on this page, please email leroysbush@gmail.com