Regulatory services manager Lichelle Guyan said figures showed 15 incidents of illegal dumping in July and August, compared with 10 each in the same months last year.
It was too early to say whether the increase would become the norm as the number of incidents tended to fluctuate, but it was concerning, she said.
In late April, Oamaru’s landfill closed and a new refuse transfer station at the North End opened.
Police last week said they received a complaint about washing machine drums and stove parts thrown over the fence at the Kurow transfer station, and the Waitaki District Council was also informed recently that historic illegal rubbish-dumping sites had been found in the Awamoa Foreshore Reserve.
Council recreation manager Erik van der Spek said the Otago Regional Council advised the Waitaki council it was responsible for removing illegally dumped rubbish from the reserve.
Council staff were now in the process of obtaining prices from contractors to remove historic rubbish exposed by erosion.
Steps taken to reduce this sort of dumping included investigations into identifying offenders but the nature of the problem made it challenging to control.
"Options to raise awareness of the issue and to gather evidence at illegal dumping hot spots are being explored."
Fines of $200 or $400 could be issued and offenders could be prosecuted.
"It is not always easy to identify who has illegally dumped rubbish. However, enforcement action will be taken when there is sufficient evidence. In the last two months two fines have been issued and a person was also required to clean up rubbish they had illegally dumped."
To report "fly tippers" call 03 433-0300 or email service@waitaki.govt.nz.
