Council Rangers are on the lookout for those doing the wrong thing and will continue to be out and about educating the community to put their litter in the bin.

Reducing litter helps improve the beauty of our natural environment, protects the habitat of local wildlife and sea creatures and minimises the spread of disease.

Director Matt Rogers said that Council will continue to work with the community to reduce litter across the region.

“Over the long weekend Westport Park, Town Beach and several local markets were patrolled in a litter blitz, and it is disappointing that a number of our community were caught doing the wrong thing,” Mr Rogers said.

“While it can be inconvenient, sometimes when you can’t find a bin the best thing to do is to hang onto your rubbish and dispose of it when you get home.”

Each year, over 25,000 tonnes of litter is tossed in NSW, with cigarette butts the most single littered item. Fines for littering start at $80 for rubbish such as cigarette butts and bottle tops and can be as much as $450 for more serious circumstances, including depositing a syringe or a lit cigarette.

Not only does litter pose a major threat to the local environment and wildlife, it also costs ratepayers a lot of money.

There are significant clean-up costs, and it can have a negative impact on local businesses and the tourism industry. Litter impacts us all and can prevent us from enjoying our local community spaces such as parks, beaches, rivers and the town centre.

“Our region is known for its natural beauty, and we all have a part to play in ensuring that we protect our precious environment so it can be enjoyed by many generations to come,” added Mr Rogers.

Further information on littering and responsible waste management is available at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/litter or by contacting Council on 6581 8111.