State Government moves to toughen litter penalties

16/8/03
Litter bugs will soon think twice before throwing their rubbish away, with fines increasing up to four-fold under a State Government initiative to cut back pollution of Western Australia's rivers and parks.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards said she had accepted a recommendation from the Keep Australia Beautiful Council (WA) to increase littering penalties across the board.
"Littering fines in WA are currently substantially less than most other Australian States or Territories," Dr Edwards said.
"Penalties for littering and illegal dumping have not increased in WA for nearly three decades, and the advice from the council is they are no longer an adequate deterrent.
"In fact, the council has reported the amount of littering is steadily increasing, with local council rangers also indicating a rise in the littering in parks and suburban streets.
"In line with community expectations that WA keep its clean and green environment, littering will now cop much bigger penalties."
Dr Edwards said the standard littering fine would jump from a $50 fine to $200, while transporting a load of inadequately secured rubbish would double to $200. Other fines will also increase - with leafleting of cars, bill posting and breaking glass all increasing to $200.
"Littering is simply not unpleasant to the eye - it also clearly harms the environment," she said.
"Plastic bags, broken glass, drink containers and discarded fishing line maim and kill our unique wildlife - and clog up our waterways and rivers.
"This measure is about improving the quality of life we have in our State - and making it a better place to live in."
Local council rangers can issue on-the-spot fines, however the Keep Australia Beautiful Council (WA) is keen at enabling other authorities, like Fisheries and Department of Environment officers, issuing infringements.
The Minister said the changes were part of the Government's wider reform package to improve protection of the State's unique environment. Other changes included:

• amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, which will extend current prosecution powers to cover all acts of environmental vandalism;

• mandatory reporting of contaminated sites, backed by tough penalties for those who conceal or hide hazardous waste sites; and

• new on-the-spot fines for illegal dumping by small businesses and industry into nearby rivers, ground water and waterways.

"There is no doubt WA is undergoing the most significant reform of our environmental laws for more than a decade," Dr Edwards said.

"This reflects the clear point of difference between this State Government who is prepared to crack down on polluters and an Opposition who sits back and says little on the environment."
Proposed amendments to litter regulations are expected to be gazetted by the end of the year.
List of fine increases:

Minister's office: 9220 5050