Littering and the Law

Litter is anything that is left where it is not meant to be. Litter is unsightly and can be dangerous. It can cause injury to people and wildlife. It encourages pest animals such as rats, mice and seagulls as well as the spread of germs and disease.

Illegal dumping is a form of littering where waste is disposed of in an area that is not a dedicated waste facility. This might be on roadsides, on local council land, in the State forest or any out of the way place where people think they will not be seen.

Laws about Littering

Under Western Australia's Litter Act 1979, littering is illegal. The Act authorises Keep Australia Beautiful Council (as part of the Department of Environment), local government, police and other litter enforcement agencies to take action against those who litter. This action can be in the form of 'on-the-spot fines', or as reports to the KABC which are followed up by fines being sent to the offenders.

Not paying your fine can lead to court action or result in your fine being sent to the Fines Enforcement Registry which has the power to withdraw licences until the fine is paid.

For the type of litter offences and their fines see the brochure Litter: A Costly Problem