A Roxburgh Park man who dropped a cigarette butt from his Toyota Landcruiser on the Princes Freeway at Lara, has avoided a conviction but paid $485 in fine and costs when the case went to court.
EPA Victoria fined the man for littering after a witness reported him to the 24-hour pollution hotline. He took the case to the Geelong Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty, where the Magistrate found the charge proven, fined him $100 and ordered him to pay $385 in costs.
The offence had taken place just before noon on Sunday, 19 March 2023, and came to court on 1 May 2024.
EPA says cigarette butts are the most common type of litter, they often find their way through drains and waterways to the bay, and lit cigarettes can cause bushfires if they land among grass or bush.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
