The Kaipara District Council is expected to spend $30,000 cleaning up rubbish illegally dumped in a large tomo in Northland's Pouto Peninsula.
The tomo, a shaft formed by water on limestone or volcanic rock, was discovered brimming with rubbish by a council contractor on Spur Road, south of Te Kopuru.
Cleanup of the area began on August 10, with the work expected to take two weeks to complete.
$10,000 of the estimated amount will go towards its disposal to a landfill.
Currently, nine people have been identified dumping what is believed to be years of waste, household rubbish and recycling, and investigations will continue throughout the removal process.
People identified to have been illegally dumping rubbish in the tomo will be issued infringement notices with a maximum fine of $5000.
Investigations revealed the tomo, which was a cave, is a historic site which once served as a church and cookhouse for the local Dalmation community.
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