The NSW Rural Fire Service is cracking down on cigarette butt “tossers” by doubling the penalty costs ahead of the fire season, which starts in Young on October 1.
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The RFS has introduced a new fire law and penalties, and increased existing penalties for a range of offences to help protect people and their properties this season.
A total of 18 penalties have doubled in costs.
People who discard a lit cigarette from their car can now expect to incur a $660 fine, twice the amount it was last season.
The offence attracts double that figure again, at $1320, if you’re caught throwing a lit cigarette during a Total Fire Ban.
Witnesses can now report people who throw lit cigarettes from a vehicle by calling the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or completing an online report at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/prevent-bush-fire-arson/cigarette-form.
“Fines for discarding a lit cigarette carry a lot more weight,” RFS South West Slopes Zone inspector Elan Palmer said.
Mr Palmer said because it was a frequent offence and its outcome devastating, authorities have decided “enough’s enough”.
The fine for lighting, using or carrying a tobacco product within the proximity of grassland or crop stubble, such as a pipe, has also gone from $330 to $660.
Other offences include not extinguishing fires or notifying firefighting authorities ($440), not giving notice to authorities before certain fires are lit ($1100), contravening any condition of a fire permit ($1100) and unlawfully leaving a fire in open air before it’s thoroughly extinguished ($2200).
Lighting fires for cooking and burning garbage or using spark arresters can also incur a $660 fine each.
Mr Palmer said people who refuse to give their details to the RFS is a new penalty and can also attract a fine.
“People need to ensure that if they burn, they burn with a permit which is available from October 1,” he said.
“And they need to keep to the conditions and designated area of their permit. If it escapes, they’re potentially up for a penalty.”
Mr Palmer reminded residents that if they live outside a town limited 50 kilometre speed zone, they are required to obtain a permit from the RFS from October 1.
If people live within the 50 kilometres speed zone of Young, they fall under the Fire and Rescue NSW boundaries and require a fire permit all year round.
New vegetation laws regarding its clearance have also been introduced to help people better prepare their homes for bushfires.
The new laws allow people in a 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Entitlement Area to clear trees on their property within 10 metres of a home and clear vegetation such as shrubs (but not trees) on their property within 50 metres of a home, all without seeking approval.
Residents can find out if their property is in a 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Entitlement Area using the RFS’s online tool at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/1050-vegetation-clearing.
The website also contains a series of frequently asked questions to provide additional information.
