The authorities in Málaga want a cleaner and less noisy city and have just approved new municipal ordinances which increase the penalties for ‘polluters’.
The new ordinances still have to be publicly exhibited to allow for comments and observations, but it is hoped that the new measures will come into effect in February 2009. Social changes and the need to adapt to reality are the main reasons for the new ordinances and they will replace the old regulations which came into force in 1998.
The new regulations cover, amongst other things, throwing cigarette butts, shells or paper on the floor, spitting on the street, throwing waste on the beach, cleaning animals or vehicles on public roads, throwing away flyers, putting up posters and writing on walls, building facades, street furniture or any other public space.
The minimum and maximum fines have, in some instances, been increased by a factor of fifty! Dropping chewing gum could now cost you €750 instead of €12.
Grafitti has been on the increase for some time in Málaga, with many residents and business owners regularly complaining to the Council. Offenders will now be fined up to €3,000 as well as having to pay restitution for the damage.
The depositing of items of furniture next to rubbish bins on public roads will now attract fines of between €1,500 and €3,000.
The ordinances also set out the waste management requirements for the owners of horses and carriages, the organisers and promoters of public events and those engaged in building projects.
As far as noise, or ‘acoustic pollution’, is concerned, the maximum fines for infringements will increase from €60,000 to €300,000 for the more serious cases. Málaga is generally a fairly noisy city, with all areas exceeding the guidelines set by the World Health Organisation.