A long-lasting underground fire at a Waikato rubbish dump has triggered charges that are heading to court.
file pic Photo: Puke Coal Landfill
A fire at Puke Coal's landfill near Pukemiro west of Huntly began burning a year ago, sparking a rash of health complaints from locals.
The Waikato Regional Council has now filed 44 charges under the Resource Management Act against the landfill operators in the Huntly District Court.
This follows an investigation that took almost a year.
After the fire broke out in August last year, the council received hundreds of complaints due to the impact of smoke and objectionable odour.
The council said it is taking the unusual step of announcing the prosecution due to high public interest.
A hearing date is yet to be set.