TDC staff keeping Taupo beautiful

MEDIA RELEASE

14 September 2009

A group of Taupo District Council officers participated in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s national “Great New Zealand Spring Clean” last week by picking up litter along the lake front and community reserves.

In one afternoon, the group of Council staff members filled approximately five 60-litre rubbish bags of litter and recyclable items. 

Parks and Open Spaces Manager John Ridd, who headed the lake front group, said he was surprised at how little rubbish was collected considering the size of the area covered. “It was the same old thing; cigarette butts, bottle caps, and a lot of drinking straws; all the little things people don’t seem to consider rubbish” he says. 

Cigarette butts, often discarded along roadsides from moving vehicles, are a major concern for New Zealand’s environment according to Keep New Zealand Beautiful who says butts contain toxins which are slowly released and end up in waterways. 

Deputy Mayor Christine McElwee says she is pleased to see such initiatives taking place across New Zealand and glad to see the Council taking an active role. “Litter is everyone’s responsibility ­– if we all do our bit, we can help reduce litter and contribute individually to our district’s beautification.”

Among the more unusual finds during the group’s clean-up effort was an ill tui in Kimberly Reserve. The bird was carefully delivered to a local vet and later transferred to Taupo Bird Rescue who explained that rhododendron poisoning of birds is common (and easily treatable) at this time of year.

Contact: Mike Watson
Communications Advisor
Taupo District Council
Ph. 07 376 0781