A Tarneit man has been fined $740 plus costs after he tossed a burning cigarette from a car in a rural area at Barnawartha North, in northeast Victoria.

The offence took place in June, but as we enter the hotter months it sounds a warning. Throwing the same burning material from a car during summer could easily start a devastating bushfire, and the Hume Freeway at Barnawartha North has native bush along the freeway reserve.

A witness reported seeing the man toss a lit cigarette butt from his Toyota Camry while travelling towards Melbourne, just before 6pm on 7 June 2023. It was hard to miss, the burning cigarette bounced off the bonnet of the witness’ vehicle.

EPA Victoria says cigarette butts are the most common litter, and even if they don’t start a fire, they often find their way through drains into local waterways. 

On 19 November 2024, the Tarneit man failed to appear at Wodonga Magistrates’ Court on a charge of unlawfully depositing dangerous litter. The Magistrate found the charge proven, imposed a conviction, fined the man $740 and ordered him to pay EPA Victoria $93 in costs.

Members of the public can report littering from vehicles on the EPA Victoria website epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/report-litter-from-vehicles