Wingecarribee Shire Council has warned that it will take action against breaches of the new advertising distribution laws which came into effect earlier this month.

Council general manager David McGowan said littering laws are usually dealt with by local councils and the new laws are no exception.

The laws, which prohibit the distribution of any advertising material such as flyers, product samples, leaflets, newsletters and fridge magnets, except into letterboxes, newspaper receptacles and under doors of premises, were introduced by the State government because of community pressure against litter and its potential to pollute.

Mr McGowan said Councils could take a range of actions including issuing advice, warnings, fines and a combination of these approaches.

On-the-spot fines range from $200 to $400.

Serious breaches can also be dealt with by the courts where penalties of up to $3300 may be ordered.

“Anyone illegally distributing advertising material as well as anyone causing or asking someone else to illegally distribute such material may be fined by Council,” Mr McGowan said.

“The purpose of the law is to combat litter, therefore, it is not illegal to hand out advertising material into people’s hands, but it is illegal to leave a pile of leaflets outside letterboxes at a block of units, for example.”

Residents who find advertising material under their car windscreen wipers or in other inappropriate places should contact the Council.

In addition to Council, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the NSW Police can enforce the laws.

Anyone who may be affected by the new laws should obtain more detailed information from Wingecarribee Shire Council or from the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

The Authority’s website also has information: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/litter.