Tweed Shire Council votes for helium balloon ban

Another North Coast council has made a step to stop the “most damaging and dangerous” plastic harming our coast. See why.

Tweed Coast will join surrounding councils in banning balloons from some events in a measure to protect the region’s natural beauty.

Tweed Shire councillor Rhiannon Brinsmead moved the motion to prohibit the release of helium balloons from Friday and prohibit balloon use from January 1, 2023 at Thursday’s council meeting.

The ban would apply to council licensed events on public land and at council-owned facilities, and would also call on NSW Government to review the regulations on the sale and use of helium balloons.

Currently, the NSW Government is the only state to allow the release of 20 helium balloons at a time.

Speaking to the motion, Ms Brinsmead said it was about public education rather than “punitive measures”.

“This isn’t going to extend to children’s birthday parties on private property etc,” she said.

“Balloons are arguably one of the most damaging and dangerous single-use plastics with respect to our environment.

“A large portion of the Tweed Shire is coastal communities and as a council we are committed to sustainability.

“The saying of what goes up must come down is particularly relevant in this scenario and a quick Google search will highlight the devastating effects that balloons have on dolphins, fish, turtles, seabirds etc.”

She said there were “awful” stories of birds being found suffocated by balloons.

However, councillor Warren Polglase worried the “heavy-handed” effective action may catch out residents.

“It’s rather drastic to bring it in effective immediately when we haven’t advised the community that it’s going to happen,” he said.

“I support the rest of it but I don’t support that part there.

“It puts people off with council saying ‘Big Brother is going to slam us with this’. Let’s just take another month or so, put it on public exhibition.”

This photo from Marine and Coastal Resource Research and Development Centre shows debris removed by government veterinarians from the stomach of a green turtle, including rubber bands, pieces of balloon and other rubbish. Picture: Marine and coastal resource development centre.

Mayor Chris Cherry said immediate action wasn’t “too much to ask”.

“I think it’s something the community is ready for frankly,” she said.

“Yes, it’s a beautiful thing to see 20 balloons disappear up in the air, but they come down somewhere and we need to think about the consequences of our actions.

“Let’s throw some rose petals or something.”

Council director Vince Connell clarified officers would begin with a “cautional and educational” approach before implementing fines.

All councillors bar Cr Polglase voted in favour of the motion.

The council will join Ballina Shire Council who recently voted in a similar motion at their June meeting.