Leaving building or renovation waste on nature strips or public land is prohibited in Whitehorse.

Under the Whitehorse Building and Works Code of Practice ( PDF 1.01MB), anyone in charge of building work must store all waste and materials within the boundaries of the site.

This helps keep our streets safe, tidy and accessible for everyone.

Cigarette butts might be small, but they’re one of our biggest litter problems. They’re often found scattered outside office buildings and public transport stops, making streets look dirty and polluting the environment.

To help reduce this, Council has installed dedicated butt bins in busy areas and near transport hubs. If your workplace doesn’t have one, speak to your building manager about installing and maintaining a bin outside.

When you’re on the go, a personal ashtray is a simple way to do the right thing. They’re easy to carry and available online or from most tobacconists.

Let’s keep our streets cleaner, one butt at a time.

Illegally posted bills come at a big cost. Cleaning up unauthorised bills, posters, flyers, and stickers costs Councils over $100,000 a year.

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017, it is an offence to post bills without the property owner’s permission, whether on poles, walls, bus shelters, or other public spaces.

Those who put up the bills, and those who direct others to do it, can be fined.

Always get permission before putting up promotional material.
 

Shopping trolleys should never be left in public places like parks, garden beds, creeks, nature strips, roads, or footpaths. They must be returned to the store or shopping centre they came from.

Abandoned trolleys are more than just an eyesore. They can block paths, create hazards for pedestrians and drivers, and harm the environment if they end up in waterways or drains.

Any trolley left in a public place and not returned is considered litter under the law and may result in a fine. 

Advertising material must be distributed according to the law. At home, all mail deliveries should be left either under the door or in a letterbox.

If your letterbox has a 'no junk mail' label (or equivalent), junk mail should not be placed in it. Unwanted advertising material can be reported to the Distributions Standards Board on 1800 676 136.
 

Dumping hazardous waste is both dangerous and illegal.

Hazardous waste may include items like:

• Paint, solvents, and chemicals
• Batteries
• Gas bottles and fuel
• Motor oil
• Asbestos
• Medical waste (e.g. syringes)

When these materials are dumped in parks, reserves, laneways or on the roadside, they pose serious risks to health, safety, and the environment. Toxins can leach into soil and waterways, cause fires, or injure people and animals.

If you see hazardous waste dumped in a public place, report it to Council immediately. We will investigate and make sure it is removed safely.

Dumping hazardous waste can lead to heavy fines or prosecution under the Environment Protection Act 2017. If you’re unsure how to dispose of something, contact Council. We’re here to help you do it safely.

To learn more about hazardous waste, including how to dispose of it, please visit Sustainability Victoria for the latest guidelines. 
 

Littering from a vehicle is a serious offence. If rubbish is thrown or dropped from a car or trailer, the Environment Protection Act 2017 holds the driver, the registered owner, and anyone authorised to use the vehicle to be guilty of the offence of depositing litter.

You can report littering from a vehicle directly to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria. Visit the EPA Victoria website for more information on how to make a report.