Water
Problems - Fines
Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act
1997, local Council is identified as the Appropriate Regulatory Authority for all
non-scheduled activities. These activities are those that do not require an Environment
Protection Licence.
In managing the impacts of non-scheduled activities,
experience has shown that environment protection is best achieved through a mix of tools
including education, application of codes of practice and targeted regulation where
needed.
The POEO Act gives Council Officers the power to
- require information or records (Part 7.3)
- to enter and search premises (Part 7.4)
- to question and identify persons (Part 7.5)
- powers with respect to vehicles and vessels (Part 7.6)
A Council Environment Officer may issue on the spot fines
(Penalty Infringement Notices) for many offences including;
| Not picking up after your dog |
$75 |
| Deposition of litter (section
145) |
$200 individual, $400 corporation
|
| Pollute Waters (section 120) |
$750 individual, $1500
corporation |
Failure to notify of a pollution
incident |
$750 individual |
| (Section 152) |
$1500 corporation |
|
$120 000 individual (max.
penalty) |
|
$250 000 corporation (max.
penalty) |
A Council Officer is also empowered under
this Act to issue clean up orders, which, if not complied with in a specified time frame,
may incur further penalties.
When wilful or negligent disposal of waste, which is likely
to cause harm to the environment is established, fines of up to $100 000 for an individual
and $250 000 for a corporation, with the possibility of 7 years of imprisonment for
individuals can be enforced. The offender may also be liable for the costs associated with
clean up.
For further information on how this legislation may affect
you, contact
Bega Valley Shire Council
Phone 02 6499 2224
Fax 02 6499 2200
Email council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Phone 02 4474 1000
Fax 02 4474 1234
Email council@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au
The POEO Service Centre
Phone: 133 372
E-mail: POEOHelp@epa.nsw.gov.
au
Guidance material is also
available from the
EPA’s Pollution Line on
131 555
|
