West Torrens Council is considering a ban on helium balloons
A staple of many parties and celebrations, the humble helium balloon would be banned from community events under a plan from an Adelaide council. TAKE OUR POLL
- Onkaparinga Council bans balloons at its events
- Victor Harbor Council investigates helium balloons ban
- Balloon lobby says jobs at risk from helium ban proposal
Helium balloons would be banned from community events under a plan from an Adelaide council.
West Torrens councillors have asked staff for a report into banning all single use plastics at meetings or events “supported” by the council — with a specific focus on balloons.
That would mean people could be fined for releasing balloons at an event that was partly funded by a council grant or had council sponsorship, even if it was held on private property.
It would also extend to fairs or other child-oriented events held on council reserves.
Councillor Graham Nitschke, who floated the push to investigate the ban, believed current calls to ban single use plastics in South Australia did not go far enough.
“I’m aware the State Government is planning to introduce similar legislation … however their plan is initially to only ban plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers with perhaps more to be banned at a later date,” Cr Nitschke said.
“The City of West Torrens could be a leader in the state, in South Australia, if we take this on board.”
“It’s not a matter of if, but of when, in this situation and I think a lot of us have seen reports about how much of a big problem this is.”
He believed given West Torrens included some of Adelaide’s coastline and the River Torrens, it had a responsibility to stop waste such as balloons ending up in waterways.
It is understood that under the current suggestion, children would still be allowed to release balloons at an event such as a birthday party as long as the council had no knowledge of the event.
However, it was unclear whether a ban would also extend to events such as weddings held on reserves with council approval.
The push came after Victor Harbor Council last month agreed to consider a ban on helium balloons at council events.
Onkaparinga Council banned helium balloons from its own events last year.
A report into the proposed ban will be brought back to West Torrens councillors in the coming months.
