Balloon lobby says jobs at risk as Clean Up Australia backs Victor Harbor’s helium ban proposal
“FUN police” or overdue move? Green groups and the balloon lobby (yes, there is one) have very different views on a Victor Harbor councillor’s push to ban helium balloons to protect marine life.
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COUNCILS wanting to ban the use of helium balloons are being labelled the “fun police” and facing criticism for jeopardising jobs.
The nation’s peak industry body, Balloon Artists & Suppliers Association of Australasia, defended the use of the “biodegradable” balloons and blamed amateurs for the pollution.
The Advertiser yesterday reported Victor Harbor Council was investigating a ban on helium balloons on land under its control, such as parks, in a bid to protect wildlife.
But association secretary Ray Connett said balloons were being unfairly connected with plastics and other materials, which could cause environmental harm.
“Balloons come from the tree, they’re rubber and biodegradable and there’s only a small percentage that end up in the ocean — probably released by the unprofessional,” he said.
Mr Connett said Victor Harbor would follow other councils across Australia to implement a ban but said other plastics, such as condoms, were more prevalent in litter.
“Several thousand people are employed in the (balloon) industry in Australia, so what gives councils the right to be the fun police,” he said. “Keep Australia Beautiful and Clean Up Australia don’t even register balloons in their clean-ups because of the small percentage that has ever been found. There’s more rubber, such as condoms, that are found.”
Clean Up Australia managing director Terrie-Ann Johnson said balloons were not found in masses, but there had been an increase due to toys that fill 100 water balloons at a time. “What we’re starting to get is an increased number of balloons being found, directly associated with summer, school holidays and major events,” Ms Johnson said.
“All of those balloons are likely to blown into nearest waterway, where they are definitely ingested ... and an animal can choke or starve.”
Ms Johnson supported the council’s move to not only protect native and marine wildlife, but also protect the coast.
If approved, Victor Harbor would become the first SA council to impose the ban and has asked neighbouring councils, Alexandrina and Yankalilla to investigate the move.
Balloons have been prohibited for more than 10 years from Adelaide and Monarto zoos. Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted said plastic litter was one of the most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife.