Penalty notices
On-the-spot fines
(also called penalty notices or penalty infringement notices)
Different on-the-spot fines apply depending on the litter involved and the circumstances of the case:
littering with a small item - $60- littering with unlit cigarette or extinguished cigarette butt (excluding littering from a vehicle) - $60
- littering with lit cigarette butt (excluding littering from a vehicle)- $200
- littering from vehicle (any type of litter) - $200 individuals/$400 corporations
- general littering (excluding cigarettes and littering from a vehicle) — $200 individuals/$400 corporations
- aggravated littering - $375 individuals/$750 corporations
- depositing advertising material in place or on vehicle - $200 individuals/$400 corporations
- causing or asking person to deposit advertising material contrary to Act - $200 individuals/$400 corporations.
Court hearings
The maximum penalties if proceedings are taken in court are:
- littering (including littering from vehicles) - $1100 individuals or corporations
- aggravated littering - $3,300 individuals/$5,500 corporations
- depositing advertising material illegally - $550 individuals or corporations;
- causing someone to deposit advertising material illegally - $770 individuals/$3300 corporations.
Many government agencies have powers to enforce the litter laws and issue litter fines:
- Office of Environment and Heritage (incorporating the Environment Protection Authority, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Royal Botanic Gardens)
- Department of Primary Industries (incorporating Fisheries NSW and Forests NSW)
- All local councils
- NSW Police Force
- Waterways Authority
- Sydney Catchment Authority
- Olympic Coordination Authority
- Darling Harbour Authority & Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
- Ports Corporation
- Centennial & Moore Park Trust
- Bicentennial Park Trust
- Parramatta Stadium Trust
- Centennial & Moore Park Trust
- Universities
- Western Lands Commission
Lord Howe Island Board
Page last updated: 11 July 2011
