# Environmentalist Launches Grassroots Clean-up Movement in Coromandel Forest Brando Yelavich mobilizes volunteers to tackle illegal dumping amid ongoing council fee disputes. - **Source:** [1News](https://www.1news.co.nz) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [climate](https://brifing.si/c/climate) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/96c3ca43-37b9-4482-b3b8-f974e49b6755 ## Volunteer Cleanup Initiative Explorer Brando Yelavich recently organized a volunteer cleanup event at Coromandel Forest Park, collecting diverse waste including tyres and industrial equipment. This initiative marks the launch of his Project Guardian organization, which aims to inspire citizens to take direct action against illegal dumping rather than solely relying on local government intervention. ## Diverse Waste Collection Within a single hour on Friday, volunteers gathered a significant volume of refuse at the lookout between Kopu and Hikuai. The haul included an old industrial printer, a road-side NZTA safety sign, and animal skulls infested with rats. Such items highlight the persistent issue of hazardous waste being discarded in public areas. ## Council Fee Dispute The cleanup follows public tension between Yelavich and the Thames-Coromandel District Council regarding the waiver of dump fees. The council maintains that they cannot waive hundreds of dollars in transfer station costs for individuals, citing strict legal requirements and the necessity of maintaining health and safety procedures for all community projects. ## Financial Impact Analysis Illegal dumping remains a costly burden for the local administration, with expenses reaching $13,240 during the 2025/26 financial year. While this figure represents a decrease from the $45,744 recorded in the previous year, the council emphasizes that limited budgets and legal obligations prevent them from funding every proposed community cleanup initiative. ## Collaborative Future Prospects Despite previous friction, Yelavich and the council have agreed to an in-person meeting to discuss potential cooperation. The proposed collaboration aims to explore a pilot program that would provide funding for individuals to collect rubbish. Both parties seek a sustainable mechanism to manage waste while adhering to necessary safety and legal standards. ## Long-term Environmental Concerns Long-time local environmentalist Daniel Anderton noted that the dumping problem in the region has worsened over the past 40 years. He expressed frustration regarding the behavior of motorists who treat the scenic lookout as a disposal site. This highlights a broader cultural challenge in preventing littering despite the presence of natural beauty. ## Models for Cooperation Franz Hubmann, a volunteer from Hutt Valley, shared insights from Wellington where councils actively support cleanup groups by collecting gathered waste. This model suggests that proactive relationships between volunteers and local authorities can mitigate high contractor costs, provided that health and safety protocols are strictly followed during the collection process. ## Scaling the Movement Supporters believe Yelavich’s efforts are successfully raising awareness, with similar cleanup activities emerging in regions like Gisborne and Kapiti Coast. By encouraging individuals to take personal responsibility for their surroundings, the movement seeks to initiate a nationwide shift in how communities address waste management and environmental stewardship in public spaces. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/11/08/i-want-to-start-a-movement-volunteers-join-coromandel-bush-clean-up/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._