The NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes announced that from March 2015 anyone reported to the litter hotline will face fines of up to $200 for individuals; $500 for lit cigarettes during fire bans; and $900 for a corporation.
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This announcement is a long time coming with many Australians concerned about the disgraceful state of our highways and roadsides; and is particularly welcome with Clean Up Australia Day which is celebrating 25 years on Sunday March 1, 2015.
We field many complaints at Clean Up Australia from frustrated and concerned volunteers who want to clean up their local roadsides but cannot gain permission due to ownership disputes and safety issues.
The adoption of the litter hotline combined with the implementation of cash for containers recycling will go a long way to help reduce roadside littering.
In fact, figures from both the 2013 Clean Up Australia Rubbish Report and the yet to be released 2014 Report indicated the most common rubbish types on roadside sites in NSW were beverage containers and fast food packaging.
It's also that time of the year again when we are calling for volunteers to register their local rubbish hotspots for 2015 Clean Up Australia Day.