A legit TIPS?
Butts a burning issue
By KAREN COLLIER
27jan03
HUNDREDS of Victorians will be fined for flicking cigarette butts from cars
amid horror bushfire conditions.
Almost 1000 littering cases have been reported to the Environment
Protection Authority this month - triple the amount recorded at the same
time last year - as community anger boils over.
EPA chairman Mick Bourke said the bulk of the 988 litter complaints
received involved cigarettes flung from vehicles in metropolitan areas.
Most of the offenders will be fined $200.
Mr Bourke said the number of people caught was appalling. An even mix of
male and female motorists were guilty, he said.
"This type of behaviour is abhorrent. It is as socially unacceptable as
drink-driving and wasting water," Mr Bourke said.
Most of the litter reports were logged last week as smoke from blazes in
Victoria's north blanketed the city.
More than half the callers dobbing in polluters specifically mentioned
concerns of bushfires sweeping the state.
"Someone tossing out a butt at traffic lights in the city or the suburbs
may not think of the consequences," Mr Bourke said.
"But if the habit is not stamped out now, chances are they will keep doing
it, no matter where they are."
Mr Bourke said that apart from heightening fire threats, discarded butts
also slid into stormwater drains, dirtied Melbourne's beaches and damaged
marine life.
Throwing litter from a vehicle carries fines of up to $6000 in court.
People dropping cigarettes in state forests are among those who could face
up to 15 years' jail under revised laws against people who risk starting
and spreading fires through recklessness or stupidity.
The surge in litter complaints to the EPA comes ahead of a public campaign
planned for next month that will include denouncing throwing butts from cars.
Those reporting offenders are advised to note the vehicle registration,
make and model, and the time and place of the offence.
They must also be willing to attend court as a witness if an accused
litterbug fights the claim.
Polluters can be dobbed in on the 1800 352 555 hotline.
Litter report forms are on the EPA's website
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