Litter infringement fees and charges

The fees and charges below apply to litter infringement activities.

All fees are stated as GST inclusive and are effective from 1 July 2025. Where the actual fees incurred by Council are higher than the fees shown, the actual costs will be charged.

If a fee or charge for a Council service is not specifically listed below, the charge or fee will be the total of the actual cost of materials and officer time incurred to provide the service, and GST.

Council reserves the right to review any fees and charges at any time, so please check with us for any updates.

 

Litter infringement fees

The following fees apply for the first offence of leaving litter in a public space, or on private land, without the occupier's consent, or as stated in the Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw 2020. 

Litter infringement fees 

Minor littering offence - A single bag of refuse, or small items.

Includes, but not limited to the following types of waste items: cigarette butts, confectionary wrappers/paper, chewing gum, takeaway food containers & wrappers, fish & chip papers, aluminium can(s), or plastic drink bottle(s).		 $100.00

Medium littering offence - Up to four shopping bags, or two refuse bags, or large items.

Includes, but not limited to the following types of waste:

  • single-use disposable personal hygiene and health products (due to their health risk) such as nappies, sanitary items and condoms;
  • domestic or commercial waste in, or by, public litter bins, clothing bins, or recycling stations;
  • use of unofficial (non-Council) refuse bags, small amounts of debris from an unsecure load (truck or trailer) e.g. paper, a single small item, grass clippings, and dust.
 $200.00

Major littering offence - Any large volume of waste, green waste, or car parts. Four or more refuse bags, or multiple large items, or piles of rubbish covering an area over 1.5m2.

Includes, but not limited the following types of waste:

  • items that pose a serious health risk;
  • any other litter as defined in the Litter Act 1979, or
  • not defined as minor or medium littering above.
The Litter Act 1979 defines the depositing of glass or glass bottles (or broken glass or bottles) as a dangerous form of litter and thus it is considered by Council as a major littering offence.
 $400.00 
 NOTE: The decision whether to issue an infringement notice for major littering, or to refer the matter to the District Court, will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the severity and malicious intent of the alleged offence.
 Subsequent offence within a 365-day period  $400.00

NOTE:

  • Any infringement notice cannot exceed $400. For cases taken to Court, the maximum fine is $5,000 for an individual, or $20,000 for a body corporate.
  • For litter considered to be dangerous, toxic and/or infectious, the maximum fine is $7,500 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.
  • In the case of a body corporate, the maximum fine is $30,000. 

Litter Infringement terms, and late payment:

  • If the first infringement notice remains unpaid after 28 days, or has not been appealed, a 28-day reminder is issued under the Summary Proceedings Act 1957.
  • If this remains unpaid, and has not been appealed, the matter is referred to the Ministry of Justice for collection, and costs will be incurred.

 

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