Published Tuesday, 21 November, 2006 at 01:14 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
GOVERNMENT MOVES TO CRACK DOWN ON LITTERBUGS
Throwing rubbish from a vehicle or stomping out a cigarette butt on Queensland streets will be targeted through increased penalties under proposed new laws.
Premier Peter Beattie said the Government was stepping up its campaign to protect Queensland’s environment by doubling the fine for so-called dangerous littering and changing the onus of proof to registered owners of vehicles.
“Sadly, drivers in Queensland continue to litter our highways,” Mr Beattie said.
“In fact, 42 per cent of rubbish picked up in Queensland is from the side of our roads, and these new laws are about hitting litterbugs where it hurts – their hip pockets.
“Under the changes, registered owners of vehicles will be held responsible for litter being thrown from their vehicle, in the same way they are held responsible for parking or speeding offences,” Mr Beattie said.
“Currently, officers have to stop or approach a vehicle in order to gather evidence of the littering offence, which can be an unsafe exercise for all involved.
“We are committed to making it easier for local councils and the EPA to penalise this behaviour and we will work closely with the Local Government Association of Queensland in drafting these tough new amendments.”
Mr Beattie said in addition to changing the onus of proof to vehicle owners, penalties for dangerous littering will double from the current $150 fine.
“Cigarette butts and bottles pose significant threats to the environment and wildlife and will be considered dangerous littering under new laws, incurring a $300 fine,” Mr Beattie said.
“This hard-line approach underpins the Government's commitment to reducing the increasing amount of litter being found and risking our pristine ecosystems and waterways,” he said.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said cigarette butts were the single most common litter item in Australia, accounting for 49 per cent of litter nationally.
“Cigarette butts are litter and those caught discarding them on the street, in the gutter or out of their car windows will be fined.
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“Not only do they have the potential to cause bushfires, cigarette butts can be especially harmful to our wildlife, not to mention the aesthetic effect litter has on our parks, gardens and beaches.
"This proposed legislation will give authorised officers more power to tackle environmental crime, and make people think twice before littering the environment around them.”
“The majority of people do the right thing with their litter, but we intend to send a strong message to people who think littering is OK that they can’t get away with it,” she said.
Ms Nelson-Carr added that amendments to legislation would be drafted in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
“We are keen to work with councils to keep our streets, parks, beaches and bushland free of litter,” she said.
"People want to live in a clean, pleasant environment, but we all have to play our part in ensuring that is what we achieve. These changes will aim to change mindsets, improve our local environment, and restore pride in our communities,” she said.
ENDS
Tuesday, 21 November 2006
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3336 8004 (Nelson-Carr’s office)
Premier Peter Beattie said the Government was stepping up its campaign to protect Queensland’s environment by doubling the fine for so-called dangerous littering and changing the onus of proof to registered owners of vehicles.
“Sadly, drivers in Queensland continue to litter our highways,” Mr Beattie said.
“In fact, 42 per cent of rubbish picked up in Queensland is from the side of our roads, and these new laws are about hitting litterbugs where it hurts – their hip pockets.
“Under the changes, registered owners of vehicles will be held responsible for litter being thrown from their vehicle, in the same way they are held responsible for parking or speeding offences,” Mr Beattie said.
“Currently, officers have to stop or approach a vehicle in order to gather evidence of the littering offence, which can be an unsafe exercise for all involved.
“We are committed to making it easier for local councils and the EPA to penalise this behaviour and we will work closely with the Local Government Association of Queensland in drafting these tough new amendments.”
Mr Beattie said in addition to changing the onus of proof to vehicle owners, penalties for dangerous littering will double from the current $150 fine.
“Cigarette butts and bottles pose significant threats to the environment and wildlife and will be considered dangerous littering under new laws, incurring a $300 fine,” Mr Beattie said.
“This hard-line approach underpins the Government's commitment to reducing the increasing amount of litter being found and risking our pristine ecosystems and waterways,” he said.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said cigarette butts were the single most common litter item in Australia, accounting for 49 per cent of litter nationally.
“Cigarette butts are litter and those caught discarding them on the street, in the gutter or out of their car windows will be fined.
- 2 -
“Not only do they have the potential to cause bushfires, cigarette butts can be especially harmful to our wildlife, not to mention the aesthetic effect litter has on our parks, gardens and beaches.
"This proposed legislation will give authorised officers more power to tackle environmental crime, and make people think twice before littering the environment around them.”
“The majority of people do the right thing with their litter, but we intend to send a strong message to people who think littering is OK that they can’t get away with it,” she said.
Ms Nelson-Carr added that amendments to legislation would be drafted in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
“We are keen to work with councils to keep our streets, parks, beaches and bushland free of litter,” she said.
"People want to live in a clean, pleasant environment, but we all have to play our part in ensuring that is what we achieve. These changes will aim to change mindsets, improve our local environment, and restore pride in our communities,” she said.
ENDS
Tuesday, 21 November 2006
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3336 8004 (Nelson-Carr’s office)