Boulders have been placed at the entrance to an abandoned Hawke’s Bay campsite to block vehicles after building materials that contain asbestos were dumped at the site.
By Linda Hall of Local Democracy Reporting
Clifton Camp No 2, south of Te Awanga, was officially closed in July because of the risk of storm surge.
Camp 2 is the campground at the end of Clifton Rd near the beach, while Camp 1, which was permanently closed in February, is further east towards Cape Kidnappers.
A Hastings District Council spokesperson said fly-tipping was almost a daily issue when the camps first closed, but had subsided now that more site work was underway.
However, the asbestos materials dump over two consecutive days was particularly problematic and had cost ratepayers more than $2000 to clean up.
The council spokesperson said it took four people four hours to clean up the asbestos, including removing a large amount of fibrous broken material.
The spokesperson said staff responded as quickly as possible when rubbish was dumped.
“They assess what has been left behind and arrange for it to be safely removed and disposed of. Depending on the type and amount of rubbish, this can involve several staff, vehicles and specialist equipment.
“This is time and money that could otherwise be spent on maintenance, mowing, gardening, playground upkeep and other work that keeps our public spaces safe, tidy and enjoyable for everyone.”
Three limestone boulders placed across accessway
The spokesperson said the barrier the council put in place was three limestone boulders across the accessway, “which allows for pedestrian access only at this time”.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that are toxic and carcinogenic. It was commonly used in older buildings and can become hazardous when disturbed, releasing dangerous fibres into the air.
While there are no cameras at Camp 2, a temporary camera further along at Camp 1 provides security for the empty buildings.
In February, Clifton Motor Camp No 1 residents were given 24 hours to evacuate after an independent geotechnical report found a high risk of landslides affecting “much, and possibly all of the campground”.
In July, the council installed a locked gate past Hygge Cafe at the beginning of a public road leading to Camp No 1.
At the time, a council spokesperson said the temporary gate would restrict vehicle access, but pedestrians would still be able to get to the beach at the end of Clifton Rd.
The council encouraged people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and report illegal dumping.
“Keeping our parks and reserves clean is a shared responsibility, and preventing illegal dumping means Council resources can be put to better use for the benefit of the whole community.”
Ratepayers in Hastings paid a total of $86,000 to clean up after fly-tippers during the council’s last financial year, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
– Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air