Shire of Murray

Litter is unsightly and can cause injury to people and wildlife. It also affects visual amenity and encourages further littering.

Ranger Services are responsible for enforcing the Litter Act 1979 in the district.

Litter is considered any item left where it's not meant to be, and includes:

• Incorrectly discarding rubbish in a public place
• Dumping rubbish in reserves or vacant land
• Depositing domestic or commercial waste in a public bin
• Items escaping from an unsecured load
• Posting publicity material (bill posting) in a public place or on a vehicle without the permission of the owner
• Abandoning shopping trolleys
• Careless butt disposal

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping is a particular type of littering where people consciously dump their rubbish or unwanted goods. This can include minor items of rubbish dumped in streets, in parks or in building site bins or the tossing of unwanted items on vacant land or into the bush. This type of littering can result in fines being issued under the Litter Act 1979.

 
Serious illegal dumping includes trailers and trucks filled with various items and materials and offenders dumping them in an area where they believe the offence will go undetected such as National Parks, bushland reserves, parks, industrial and building sites or outside charity bins and stores and on road verges or median strips.

Serious illegal dumping is increasing and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 was recently amended to provide substantial penalties to address dumping offences. Offenders who illegally dump waste can face hefty fines of up to $62,500 for individuals and $125,000 for corporations.

Reporting Littering

Contact the Ranger Services on 9531 7777 to report litter offences.

Alternatively the Keep Australia Beautiful Council WA has an online

Litter Reporter Scheme.

Infringements

Infringements can be issued under the Litter Act 1979 for the following matters:

• Discarding rubbish in a public place $200
• Dumping minor rubbish in reserves or vacant land $200
• Depositing domestic or commercial waste in a public bin $200
• Items escaping from an unsecured load $200
• Posting publicity material (bill posting) in a public place
• or on a vehicle without the permission of the owner $200
• Abandoning shopping trolleys $200
• Careless cigarette butt disposal $75