Onkaparinga Council bans balloons at its events to protect native and marine wildlife

BALLOONS have been banned at Onkaparinga Council events to protect birds, animals and marine life from the deadly effects of latex remnants.

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BALLOONS have been banned at Onkaparinga Council events to protect birds, animals and marine life from the deadly effects of latex remnants.

The council this month imposed the ban because too many deflated helium balloons had been found strewn across the area after community events.

Events at which they are no longer allowed include the Christmas Pageant, Australia Day Bush Fair and the Beachside Food and Wine Festival.

The council will also push people who are using council land for events, such as weddings, to reconsider using helium balloons.

Onkaparinga Council community relations director Philomena Taylor said it was important to reduce pollution in the area.

“At these events in the past there have been large numbers of balloons and some of these would invariably end up as litter in locations that could potentially pose a danger to animals, birds and marine life,” Ms Taylor said.

“When people apply for a permit to use a reserve for a party or wedding, we provide them with information about the environmental issues balloons can cause and a range of alternatives to balloons that can be used.”

The council would not implement a by-law and will instead take an educational approach to warn people about how latex remnants can affect animals.

However, any deflated balloons or balloon fragments left in public places would attract a $210 fine under the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016.

Last week, Victor Harbor Council started investigations aimed at a by-law banning balloons in all outdoor areas following litter left after its Christmas pageant.

It would become the first council in SA to ban the use of gas-filled balloons on land under its control, should it vote to introduce the by-law.

Balloons, plastic bags and bottles were the three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife, according to a 2016 study by the CSIRO.

Onkaparinga Council has suggested people use bubbles, bunting, pompoms or pinwheels as an alternative for parties at events on council land.

Lila and Oscar with balloons at Victor Harbor. Picture: Dylan Coker

For people wanting to create memorials for a deceased loved one, it recommended planting a tree or creating a butterfly garden.

Environmental groups have thrown their support behind the move, but want the ban extended to all council reserves, at all times.

Adopt A Surf Break committee member Chris Lemar said his environmental group, covering the Mid Coast surfing reserve, often found balloons scattered around the coastline.

Too many people were releasing helium balloons at weddings and other events.

“They run out of gas over the ocean, fall and then they get eaten by wildlife,” Mr Lemar said.

“We pick up a lot of balloons and they are quite dangerous because they stay in the environment for years.

“I want a ban on helium balloons that are released … just release doves or pigeons or something.”

He wants all people who visit the beach to pick up three pieces of rubbish to improve the state of the coast.

At the Our Coast Our Mission organisation, which hosts weekly clean-up days along the coast, director Malcolm Doyle said he often saw remnants of balloons. He estimated 95 per cent as being commercial material.

The ban, he said, should be applied to all council reserves.

“There were balloons everywhere after the Christmas pageant,” Mr Doyle said.

“People were sending me photos of balloons on the ground — just everywhere, madness.”

“(The ban) is a really good step … but it needs to go further.”