LIFE & STYLE
Littered cigarette butts cause
roadside fires – don ’ t be a tosser !
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils ( WSROC ) has joined forces with seven Western Sydney councils to urge smokers — particularly motorists — to “ bin their butts ” this summer as the bushfire season approaches .
WSROC President ,
Tossed out butts cause fires and other environmental damage . Mayor Brad Bunting , said roadside fires caused by discarded cigarette butts remain a serious concern .
“ Every year , fire brigades respond to hundreds of roadside fires caused by cigarette butts littered from vehicles . Fires sparked by littered cigarettes can spread quickly , endangering homes , lives , and wildlife ,” Mayor Bunting said .
A University of Technology Sydney ( UTS ) study , in collaboration with Fire and Rescue NSW and CSIRO , found that in dry , hot , and windy conditions , one in three discarded cigarette butts can ignite grassy fuel .
“ Since 2020 , Fire and Rescue NSW has attended around 200 roadside fires caused by cigarettes annually . Alarmingly , this spiked to 300 fires last year ,” Mayor Bunting said . The penalties are steep : - Littering cigarette butts is an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Rural Fires Act 1997 .
- If a lit cigarette is discarded during a
Total Fire Ban , offenders face fines up to $ 11,000 .
“ If you smoke in your vehicle , use a cupholder ashtray and bin your butts responsibly when you arrive at your destination . These ashtrays are affordable and available at most bargain stores ,” Mayor Bunting advised .
The councils of Hawkesbury , Blacktown , Cumberland , Liverpool , Fairfield , The Hills Shire , and Parramatta are urging residents to take responsibility .
Cigarette butts harm more than just roadsides :
- Made of plastic , cigarette butts don ’ t biodegrade and persist in the environment for years .
- Littered butts often wash into stormwater drains , releasing toxic chemicals into local creeks and rivers , where they harm aquatic life .
- Roadside fires cause traffic congestion and delays while firefighters battle to control them .
Mayor Bunting also encouraged residents to take action :
“ If you see someone litter a cigarette butt or any other item from a vehicle , report it to the NSW EPA via the ‘ Report to EPA ’ website . Fines will be issued .”
Visit epa . nsw . gov . au and search for ‘ Report to EPA ’ to make a report .
Don ’ t let carelessness spark disaster — bin your butts !
Multicultural NSW Stronger Together grants recipients
Supported by the Minns Labor Government , community groups in Mount Druitt will share in $ 525,000 through the Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Festival and Event Grant program to celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity of the area .
Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency highlight cultural foods , music , and dances , bringing together people from across the region . MECA ’ s ‘ Harmony in Diversity ’ event celebrates the multicultural richness of Greater Western Sydney , this two-day event during Harmony Week fosters social cohesion , intercultural understanding , and community resilience through art , music , dance , and storytelling .
The event aims to connect various community groups , celebrating the Harmony Week theme , “ everyone belongs .”
Each year , not-for-profit organisations across NSW use the Stronger Together grants to deliver festivals and events that help unite communities by showcasing their cultural strengths .
Grants range between $ 5,000 to $ 20,000 with celebrations taking place between 1 March 2025 and 31 July 2025 .
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said , “ By supporting local community groups , we are investing in the future of our state . These grassroots festivals and events create a space where everyone can come together to celebrate what makes us unique , while strengthening the bonds that hold us together .”
Edmond Atalla MP , Member for Mount Druitt said , “ The Mount Druitt electorate is a prime example of the cultural richness and diversity that makes NSW such a special place to live . These events give us the opportunity to celebrate our unique heritage and build stronger connections between people from all walks of life .”
“ It ’ s important that we continue to support local initiatives like these , as they not only celebrate culture , but also provide a sense of belonging for everyone in our community .”
For more information on Stronger Together grants , please visit : www . multicultural . nsw . gov . au / multicultural-nsw-grants /
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR ! ISSUE 47 // FEBRUARY 2025 15