18 Apr 2016

Share this story

People who litter could find themselves facing a fine of up to $400 under a proposed new infringement regime being considered by Christchurch City Council.

Currently the maximum fine for people caught littering in Christchurch is $100 but the Council is considering introducing a graduated scale of infringement fees so that the worst offenders pay more.

On Thursday, Council's Regulation and Consents Committee will consider a report which recommends imposing fees ranging between $100 and $400 on people caught depositing litter in a public place or on private land without the owner's consent.

Under the proposed infringement regime:

• A $100 fine would be issued to those who illegally dumped anything less than 1 litre, such as cigarette butts, cans, or takeaway containers.

• A $200 fine would be issued to those who illegally dumped anything weighing between 1 and 20 litres, such as supermarket bags full of rubbish.

• A $300 fine would be issued to those who illegally dumped between 20 and 120 litres, such as multiple boxes of rubbish or car tyres.

• A $400 fine would be issued to those who illegally dumped over 120 litres, such as lounge chairs, car parts and green waste.

• A $400 fine would be issued to those who illegally dumped offensive, commercial or hazardous waste, such as oil, disposable nappies, medicines and animal remains.

Other councils in New Zealand have adopted similar infringement regimes. For example, neighbouring Selwyn District Council has adopted a three tiered infringement fee so that minor littering incurs an infringement fee of $100, medium littering incurs an infringement fee of $200, and major littering incurs an infringement fee of $400.

Christchurch City Council typically receives more than 100 complaints a year about the dumping of litter on cleared properties and in public places like road berms.

Between February 2013 and May 2015 345 complaints about litter were recorded by the Council.