Smoking in non-smoking locations
Dear Lane Cove Municipal Council,
I would like the most recent data on Council Ranger issued fines in relation to:
Smoking in Public Places
and more specifically, how many fines have been issued within the Lane Cove town centre since it became a smoke-free zone.
I would also like to know of any fines that have been issued regarding the littering of cigarette butts.
Additionally I would like to know what proportion of total ranger issued fines these equate to.
Finally, has there been any policy guidelines issued by the council or Mayor in relation to the prioritising of one category of offence over the other?
Yours faithfully,
Nathan
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Thank you.
Corporate Records Team
Corporate Services Division
Lane Cove Council
Tel: (02) 9911 3555
Fax: (02) 9911 3600
Dear Nathan
Thank you for your inquiry to Council in relation to smoking and
non-smoking locations. Your request has been considered as an informal
request for documented information that, if captured by Council, would be
available as open access information and not subject to a formal access to
information request under the Government Information (Public Access) Act
2009.
I directed your queries to Mr David Wilson, Manager of Environmental
Health in the Environmental Services Division of Council.
I am advised that for more than five years Council has prioritised an
educate, caution and move on approach for breach of the regulations
governing areas with non-smoking signage.
Where a person receives a caution by a Ranger at the time that a person is
observed to be smoking the ability to enforce the regulation further may
be limited for example, where a person refuses to provide their personal
details to the Ranger.
For this reason Council has not issued any penalty notices in recent
years, but issues informal cautions and move on requests each week
whenever the area is being patrolled.
Council has issued No Smoking signs to businesses in Lane Cove for shop
windows, in order to increase signage and promote deterrence in smoke free
areas. Some business have participated in this program and more are being
encouraged to do so.
Council has also conducted Smoke Free Environment Act information sessions
for all lease holders of outdoor dining spaces on Council land.
Attendance at these seminars was a condition of the lease.
You may visit the web site of Council for more information including our
[1]Enforcement Policy
Should you have any further queries please call Simon Cole on 9951 3511.
Yours faithfully
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Simon Cole | Governance Officer
A: 48 Longueville Road Lane
[2]LCC Cove
P: 9911 3511
E: [3][email address]
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Dear Simon Cole,
As the council has had 5 years of this education first policy, what evidence is there of success? Have any quantitative observations been performed or studies of the quantity of cigarette butts on the ground been measured?
I find it interesting that signs are relied on to stop smoking in non-smoking locations, yet they are not relied on for parking matters, they are treated as warnings and are enforced by rangers with hefty fines.
Yours sincerely,
Nathan
Hi Nathan
Thank you for your interest in the Council's enforcement strategy and the use of data to measure Council's performance in relation to individual types of offences. I have again asked the Manager of Environment and Health to consider these points and we will be able to respond shortly.
Regards
-----------------------------
Simon Cole | Governance Officer
A:48 Longueville Road Lane Cove
P:9911 3511
E:mailto:[email address]
W:http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au
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Dear Nathan
The Manager of Environmental Health has responded to your further request for information as follows:
Unfortunately we don't have any detailed research or data on the number of cautions and move on directions, as these are undertaken on a discretionary basis by the Rangers. We seek cooperation from visitors to Lane Cove, who may not be familiar with local restrictions in a public area and local residents who need a friendly reminder.
We do have locations that are impacted by a range of littering habits including , sporting fields where plastic drink bottles are not placed in bins, cigarette butts near the TAB and at Manns Point. All of which have specific anti littering programs intended to address waste disposal behaviour on a regional basis.
In regards to parking restrictions, we use an inground sensor system for the monitoring of the Lane Cove CBD for parking overstays , along with Ranger foot patrols to ensure that all drivers get an equitable access to limited parking. Penalties are able to be issued where overstays occur as we have the evidence to enforce such matters, as number plate details can be used to contact the owner/driver of a vehicle.
It should be highlighted that where a penalty is issued for an offence, the person receiving a penalty has the opportunity to make formal representations for such matters to be reviewed or alternatively to have such matters reviewed by a magistrate by choosing for the matter to be court elected.
I trust this assists you with your inquiry. Again, thank you for your interest in this important activity of Council.
Regards
-----------------------------
Simon Cole | Governance Officer
A:48 Longueville Road Lane Cove
P:9911 3511
E:mailto:[email address]
W:http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au