SOUTH Australians have continued to support the Dob in a Litterer program more than six months after its launch with an increase in app downloads, website registrations and reporting.
The program was introduced in February this year as part of the litter provisions in the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016.
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) director regulation Peter Dolan said South Australia maintained its reputation for sustaining a clean environment and this legislation and the new app and website were making it happen.
“These reforms will significantly deter littering by giving the power to the community to report littering and result in reduced clean-up costs to local government, as well as improved services for the South Australian community,” he said.
The Dob in a Litterer app has been downloaded 2371 times since the program was launched with nearly 650 registered website users.
Around 790 reports have been received of people throwing litter from their vehicles.
Fines were introduced on May 1 after a three month grace period was in place to create community awareness about the program.
A total of 325 expiation notices have been issued since that time and six people are currently facing prosecution.
The total value of fines is around $70,000.
Nearly 80pc of reports relate to cigarette butts being thrown from vehicles.
The remaining reports were about general litter, such as takeaway food containers, plastic bottles and paper.
The expiation fee for littering varies from $210 – plus a victims of crime levy for small amounts of general litter – $500 for class B hazardous litter and up to $1000 – plus the victims of crime levy – for larger volumes of litter.
Class B hazardous litter includes lit cigarettes, used syringes and glass.
South Australians are encouraged to download the new app at www.dobinalitterer.sa.gov.au and report sightings of public littering to help keep our state clean and green.
