The Government gazetted a bill today proposing to raise the fixed penalty level for littering and shopfront extension offences from the current $1,500 to $3,000 and $6,000 respectively.

Through the Fines & Fixed Penalties (Public Cleanliness & Obstruction) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023, the Government aims to enhance the deterrent effect and achieve long-term and sustainable improvements in environmental hygiene.

The bill proposes to raise the level of fixed penalty for the seven scheduled offences which involve public conduct including waste disposal and spitting at public places, country parks or into the sea, from $1,500 to $3,000.

The seven scheduled offences include display of bills or posters without permission, depositing of litter or waste in public spaces, spitting in public places, fouling of street by dog faeces, depositing of litter in country parks and special areas, spitting in country parks and special areas, and marine littering.

The bill also proposes to raise the level of fixed penalty for the two scheduled offences mainly related to shopfront extensions and illegal disposal of construction waste or large amount of other waste, from $1,500 to $6,000.

Another proposal raises the maximum fines for specified scheduled offences under corresponding legislation, which may be imposed by the court upon convicted summonses.

The bill also proposes to empower relevant departments such as the Food & Environmental Hygiene and the Housing departments to issue fixed penalty notices for unlawful waste depositing, and to empower the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to issue notices for litter or waste depositing in public places.

It would empower enforcement officers to issue fixed penalty notices based on the specific circumstances of the waste found, reduce interdepartmental referrals as well as ensure a consistent level of fixed penalty for similar non-compliance cases.

The amendments should take effect three months after the gazettal following the bill’s passage by the Legislative Council, so as to allow sufficient time for conducting comprehensive publicity on the increased fixed penalty to relevant sectors and the public at large.

The bill will be introduced into LegCo for the first and second readings on May 17.