Those caught littering in the Hauraki district will soon face a fine of up to $400.
Hauraki Mayor John Tregidga says the cost of disposing illegally dumped garbage had skyrocketed in the past few years. Photo: 123RF
A new fine schedule for littering offences is due to be adopted by the Hauraki District Council in the next few weeks.
The fines will range between $100 and $400 and will apply to everything from throwing coffee cups out of the car window to dumping piles of rubbish at parks.
In a statement Hauraki Mayor John Tregidga said as well the "obvious effect on the environment", the cost of disposing illegally dumped garbage had skyrocketed in the past few years.
"Our costs for disposing of illegally dumped rubbish have escalated over the last couple of years, and quite frankly, it's unacceptable that the majority of our ratepayers who do dispose of rubbish responsibly have to pay for the few that can't be bothered," he said.
The council said it hoped the new fines would deter people from throwing takeaway containers from their car, or dumping their trash on the roadside.