Balloons to be banned at events on council-owned land in Victor Harbor
You won’t be getting official permission to hold a public party if you plan to have balloons anywhere near it as another council adds them to the banned list.
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Balloons will be banned at all civic events and those on council-managed land in Victor Harbor, as the war on waste continues across the state.
The council has voted to make a balloon ban a condition for anyone hosting an event at its properties.
It will also investigate the possibility of all council-sponsored events being free of single-use plastic.
The move was initiated by Mayor Moira Jenkins, who last year raised the idea in her role as councillor.
“We really need to be educating the community about the impact of non-biodegradable plastic, so it doesn’t end up in the environment harming our sea life,” Dr Jenkins said.
“People these days are much more aware of the damage that’s being done to the environment and the little things they can do to make a difference and this is providing some of that incentive.”
Onkaparinga Council banned balloons at all of its events last year, and West Torrens Council is considering a similar move.
Dr Jenkins said it wasn’t just the balloons that were a problem – their plastic ties and ribbons also went astray, potentially threatening birds and sea animals.
The council considered changing its bylaws to specifically ban balloon use but voted to instead refuse permission for balloons at council-controlled events.
“Banning balloons altogether – how do you police it?” Dr Jenkins said.
“That needs to be a conversation with all the councils and the State Government.
“We’re not out there to punish people. We want to help people to understand why we want an environment free of single use plastics so that the next generation can enjoy it as much as we can.”
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Council officers can fine people for littering if they release balloons in public.
Dr Jenkins said awareness was already growing about more environmentally-friendly party decorations, such as paper streamers and bubbles.
The Government plans to make SA the first state to phase out single-use plastics, under legislation to be introduced into parliament next year.
Surf lifesaving clubs, The Parade, Jetty Rd Brighton and the Adelaide Central Market are to be included in the Government’s “single-use plastic-free precincts”, which will pilot the ban.
A task force of organisations will help inform the next steps.
The Government wants to first phase out plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers, and then focus on other plastics such as polystyrene cups and food containers.
michelle.etheridge@news.com.au