Report Litterers to EPA Victoria

EPA Victoria Litter Report Line

Anyone can report people who litter from cars to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA Victoria) on their Litter Report Line.

Victoria's litter legislation is unique in Australia because members of the public can report car litterers to EPA Victoria. Litterers are then fined. To make a report, you must record details of the vehicle registration number, make, model, colour and type of vehicle, as well as all details of the location where the littering occurred, including the street, suburb, nearest cross street, time and date. You must also be prepared to attend court as a witness if required. You can obtain a form by calling EPA's litter line on 1800 352 555, download a form or register to make reports on line on the EPA Victoria website. Keep copies of the form in the glove box of your car so you can fill them out on the spot.

Public litter reports are written legal documents (such as a statutory declaration) - those that submit such a report must also be prepared to act as a witness if the matter goes to court. This commitment eliminates malicious litter reports.

Similarly, when reporters register online, these reports are also deemed as written. The number of registered reporters continues to grow, with some 5945 people lodging litter reports between May 2003 (when litter reporting started on the web) and January 2006 .

Reporting of litterers continues to rise rapidly in recent years:

• In excess of 18,200 fines being issued from public reports in 2004-2005.

• Over 18,000 fines issued in 2003-2004, up 30 per cent from the previous year.

• Nearly 13,000 fines issued in 2002-03, a jump of 60 per cent from the previous year. 

Over 90% of the fines are for cigarette butts! 

Making reports is one way that people can do something about litter.