By JOLENE OGLE
It’s time for smokers to bin their butts as the council calls on locals to act responsibly when it comes to disposing of rubbish.
Noosa Today recently published an article about locals who are frustrated at collecting hundreds of cigarette butts from the garden beds along the Noosa Main Beach.
The council was unable to comment at the time but has since written a letter to the editor advising Noosa Today of its response.
In the letter, Noosa Council’s waste and environmental health manager Wayne Schafer said it was important for the community to remember that disposing of a cigarette butt in the open environment is an offence which can attract a fine under state government litter legislation.
Mr Schafer said anyone who wants to dispose of their cigarette butts responsibly can collect small, reusable, pocket-size cigarette butt containers free of charge from the council
“Smokers can also provide their own containers to dispose of their cigarette butts until they locate an appropriate bin,” he said.
In response to calls from the community for more bins near the Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving tower, Mr Schafer said the council provides bins in areas where people frequent and staff assess requests for extra bins on a case-by-case basis.
“Council does not provide bins in every location where people congregate to smoke,” he said.
“Beachgoers should be aware that smoking is not permitted between the flags on a patrolled beach.”
Anyone who would like to collect a personal, portable cigarette butt bin can drop into the Council Chambers at 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin.
