Auckland is promoted as the ‘biggest, largest, most populated and one of the cleanest cities in the world.
With ever-increasing rates that we pay as residents and with weekly rubbish collections (which also comes at a cost to us), we would expect the best service.
However, that is not the case.
As a resident of Pakuranga in East Auckland, my wife Renuka and I go for regular walks every day and find a range of rubbish (including plastic package strips, empty beer cans and bottles) strewn all over the footpaths.
Has anyone realised how hazardous these can be?
We have had this experience. A few weeks ago, my wife (Renuka) was ‘trapped’ by a rubbish package strip, fell face down and suffered bruises, causing severe pain and bleeding. I rushed her to the hospital, where she was treated for a fracture on her cheekbone and a suture on her eyebrow.
As well as enduring severe pain and discomfort, we spent several anxious days of uncertainty about her state of health. She had to undergo a surgical procedure on June 25 and according to medical practitioners, it would take a long time for her to recover fully and return to normal health.
Apart from the trauma, pain and loss of income, this has left ACC out of pocket by a substantial amount. The incident has a direct bearing on taxpayers.
After this incident, I collected more than 3o such packing strips on Edgewater Drive alone. Invariably they are found on the day copies of ‘Property Press’ are distributed to homes. It is also possible that those distributing other community newspapers throw the strips along the footpath.
We need to work together. Distributors of ‘Property Press’ and publications should be informed of the chaos they cause on public properties, apart from defacing our neighbourhood.
I would also urge the Auckland Council to consider removing these strips and other wastes strewn on our roads and footpaths on days other than those allocated for rubbish collection.
Organisations such as the ACC, publishers of newspapers and others who deliver material to homes should jointly campaign for a cleaner neighbourhood.
Public cooperation in this connection is also important.
Madhav Pradhan is an East Auckland resident. If you have had a similar experience or if you would like to comment on the above, please email
editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
