HCC begins enforcing litter ordinance this week

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

HONIARA City Council says the 2009 Litter Ordinance not only covers rubbish but also includes fouling in public places such as human waste or spitting betel-nut stain.

On Monday, HCC began its enforcement of the 2009 Litter Ordinance which will be piloted within a boundary from HCC roundabout to Town ground roundabout.

HCC’s Chief Inspector for Environment Health Division Mr George Titiulu said in the enforcement operation period within the boundary, there will be no betel-nut, apple, betel-nut and smoke selling.

He said everything will be over-the-counter which means good and services must be provided in the shops.

Titiulu said the enforcement operation will ensure public buses are carefully monitored to see that there should no one is littering from the bus and even any moving vehicle.

“If bus or moving vehicle caught throwing rubbish from the window, bus drive or truck owner are responsible or liable for arrest or charge,” he adds.

Titiulu explained the Litter Ordinance 2009 also ensures overgrown grass is cut to avoid breeding sites for mosquitos or other deadly pests.

He further explained the litter ordinance also mandates the seven metre by-law, and littering front, side and behind shops is shop owner’s responsibility or whoever occupier or tenant.

Moreover such ordinance also capture rubbish receptacle that every shop owners, offices, houses and businesses should have their own bins—those on the roads are for public usage, he said.

“The message to general public is, failure to comply to the notices, additional consequences will be add on, and this ordinance are very strong,” he said.

To do arresting and monitoring, Titiulu said powers are vested on HCC to implement through law enforcement and authority officers.

He HCC’s officers also has power to prosecute the offences and law enforcement officer can arrest without a warrant.

Any fees paid will goes directly to the Council, Titiulu said.

However, the litter ordinance is divided into two parts—minor and major.

Minor is from a butt of cigarettes and other forms of plastics with fine $1000, and Major is differentiate as rubbish more than a size of drum with fine of $10,000.

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