Litterers of our beautiful riverside parks and precious Macquarie River are now at risk of incurring increased littering and pollution fines.

The increased penalties give the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and NSW Councils greater regulatory power to take action on environmental offences and can include on-the-spot fines of up to $15,000 for the most serious incidents investigated by the EPA.

Dubbo City Council’s Environmental Control manager Debbie Archer said the most common fines issued by Council’s Rangers were for littering from motor vehicles which had increased to $250 for individuals and $500 for corporations.

“The most common item littered were cigarette butts and tossers should really think twice as there could be someone watching,” Ms Archer said.

In August, Dubbo Local Court convicted a resident of polluting waterways and fined the resident $750 after they thoughtlessly left rubbish from fishing and camping on the banks of the Macquarie River.

A witness saw the incident and sufficient evidence was collected to allow Council to issue an infringement. Under the new legislation that $750 fine has increased to $4000. 

Ms Archer said council was encouraging the community to consider the consequences of their actions and reduce littering behaviour by implementing educational awareness campaigns such as Bin Your Butts and Bat for the Macquarie River.

“Bin Your Butts and Bat for the Macquarie River will involve the implementation of new infrastructure to promote correct disposal of cigarette butts,” Ms Archer said.

The new infrastructure will be complemented by an interactive education campaign where council will be promoting the key message of Bin Your Butts and Bat for the Macquarie River through broadcast and display advertising using the “Hey Tosser!” branding.

Bin Your Butts and Bat for the Macquarie River is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.