Auckland (The NZ Today)
ACT is promising tougher penalties for illegal rubbish dumping, saying the current fines are too low to deter people from leaving waste on roadsides, rural land and near waterways.
Under the party’s proposal, the standard infringement fee would rise from $400 to $1000, while repeat offenders could face fines of $2000.
More serious cases could still be taken to court, where higher penalties may apply.
ACT’s rural communities spokesperson Andrew Hoggard said illegal dumping created extra costs for councils and ratepayers while also damaging the environment.
He said communities should not be left paying to clean up rubbish deliberately dumped by others.
“The current $400 penalty isn’t cutting it,” Hoggard said.
“If you’re prepared to dump rubbish beside a river and leave someone else to deal with the mess, a slap on the wrist isn’t much of a deterrent.”
ACT has already included higher penalties for illegal rubbish dumping in its wider rural policy platform.
The party says the tougher regime would be aimed particularly at repeat offenders and people who treat rural roads, waterways or isolated areas as dumping grounds.
Hoggard said families who dispose of rubbish properly should not have to carry the cost of cleaning up after those who break the rules.
The policy would be implemented if ACT returns to government after the election.
Source: ACT Party policy announcement.
