Auckland Council removed this landmark’s rubbish bin, locals say the trash is piling up

FAST FACTS

• Local residents have noticed a significant increase in litter at Musick Point since its bin was removed.
• Auckland Council removed 30% of public bins last year to save $9.5 million over eight years.
• Council say the bin at the top of Musick Point was removed because it was being underutilised.

It’s a popular scenic spot in East Auckland, but locals say Musick Point is no longer pristine after the council removed the headland’s public rubbish bin.

Last year, Auckland Council announced it was removing 30% of the region’s 10,000 bins in public spaces. It was expected to save $9.5 million over eight years, with the public encouraged to take their rubbish home with them instead.

But those calls appear to be going unheard at Musick Point, with locals expressing their frustration and concerns over what they see as a growing litter problem.

Auckland Council said it is aware of the issue and there will be increased litter patrols, but denies the removal of a bin has contributed to the problem.

When Stuff visited Musick Point, there was litter around its car park and the edge of the cliff.

Liz Domett said she has seen the problem get worse over time.

Since Auckland Council removed the rubbish bin at Musick Point, litter has begun to pile up. Photo / Lawrence Smith

“It started gradually – people started biffing stuff off the edge of the cliff, so it wasn’t seen,” Domett said.

“Then they’ve got more audacious, because they have their picnic or whatever and look around for the bins.

“There are no bins there, so they just hide it behind the most convenient bush or whatever.

“Then somebody throws a drink bottle there and the pile gets bigger and bigger, because there are no bins.”

Domett says people expect there to be bins in a popular place like Musick Point, which is a coastal headland with steep cliffs, overlooking the Waitematā Harbour and Rangitoto Island.

Domett has lodged a complaint with Auckland Council.

Some of the litter has been dumped around by trees, but there is other rubbish by the edge of the cliff. Photo / Lawrence Smith

Roger Teague, who regularly takes his King Charles Spaniel for a walk around Musick Point, said he has also noticed how significant the litter problem has become.

“Since they’ve taken the bins away, it’s increased a lot. You can just see by taking photos,” Teague said.

“I think it’s got quite bad because people should show respect for this place, but they don’t. It’s easy to take your rubbish away.”

Auckland Council’s manager of area operations, Marcel Morgan, said they’re aware of the increased reports of litter and illegal dumping in the Musick Point car park.

“Over the past month, our contractors have observed a rise in discarded fast food packaging and litter from vehicles being discarded in the car park. In response, our contractor has increased their loose litter patrols in the area,” he said.

The Musick Memorial Radio Station is located at the edge of the peninsular. Photo / Lawrence Smith

“We expect Aucklanders and all visitors to this site to do the right thing and take all their rubbish home. The council provides many ways for people to dispose of unwanted larger items responsibly, so they don’t need to dump them.

“Addressing and preventing illegal dumping is an ongoing challenge, not exclusive to Musick Point. We encourage Aucklanders who witness any instances of illegal dumping to record vehicle registration numbers, if it is safe to do so, and to contact our contact centre.”

Morgan said the bin at the top of Musick Point was removed because it was being underutilised.

“These bins (removed as part of the bin optimisation project across the region) were not being used by those who are not respecting the grounds of Musick Point,” he said.

“We do not believe that the removal of these bins has contributed to the recent increase in illegal dumping at Musick Point.”