"Having the instant fines will make it far easier to manage and eliminates the ability for people to say they didn't know," said David Cartwright, chairman of the Fendalton-Waimari-Harewood Community Board.
Cartwright's comments follow a community board meeting on Monday where the Freshwater Improvement Fund was discussed. The fund concerns dried up and polluted rivers in Canterbury.
The chairman also said the fine for water pollution should increase to $10,000 from the current $2000.
Members of the community board had agreed unanimously that the $2000-fine was too light. The board has submitted its view to the Christchurch City Council,