By KATH GANNAWAY
VICTORIANS have overcome their reluctance to ‘dob’ when it comes to litterers.
More than 60,000 Victorians have signed up to report litter to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) which issued $4 million in fines last financial year.
Of the 12,859 fines issued, 85 per cent were for cigarettes thrown from vehicles, an indication of the low public tolerance for people who litter, and more particularly for people who put lives and property at risk by throwing out cigarettes.
The remaining 15 per cent of fines included littering of food packaging, drink containers and other small items.
According to the EPA website, biodegradables such as apple cores aren’t exempt either.
Launching an awareness campaign to help reduce litter from vehicles EPA CEO Nial Finegan said: “There is no excuse for littering anywhere, under any circumstances.
He said litter ends up in waterways and harms the environment, but can also pose great risk during heightened bushfire danger periods.
“Those caught littering from their vehicles face a $295 fine, or a $590 fine for lit cigarettes,” Mr Finegan said. “To date, more than 60,000 Victorians have signed up to report litter to EPA.
“We need to stop litter where it starts and drive a strong message that you will be caught and fined.”
EPA Victoria encourages litter reporters to ensure their reports are accurate and complete.
EPA spokesperson Rosanna Bonaccurso told the Mail that while fines were issued on the basis of reports, there was a very comprehensive list of requirements to back up those reports.
She said information received was verified against the VicRoads data base and that the EPA was very transparent in issuing fines.
Information people should put in a report includes the following:
* Who? Vehicle details, rego, colour, driver or passenger, gender of litterer.
* What? Lit or unlit cigarette, bottle, can, food wrapper or other item.
* When? Exact time and date of offence.
* Where? What road was the vehicle travelling on, in which suburb, and the closest intersection.
* How? How was the litter deposited – thrown from vehicle, dropped before exiting vehicle or dropped before getting into a car.
To report litter, download the app in the Apple or Google app stores, visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/reportlitter or call 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).
