Central Coast Council bans balloons, water bottles from events, community centres

Balloons, water bottles, plastic plates and cutlery will be outlawed on the Central Coast following a ruling of the local council this week.

Balloons will be among items banned from Central Coast Council events.

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Balloons and plastic water bottles at birthday parties and festivals will be banned at all Central Coast Council venues and events.

In a bid to “show leadership in the elimination of single use plastics”, the council has moved to ensure all events held on council grounds and open spaces do not use balloons, minimise waste and use biodegradable products where possible.

Councillors voted to put its draft single use plastic policy on exhibition at Monday’s council meeting, however some councillors expressed concerns that it was going too far.

Labor councillor Lisa Matthews said council would state” if it all of a sudden banned balloons and bottled water.

Balloons are a no-no at all council venues. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“We don’t have filtered water available on all our grounds,” Cr Matthews said.

“We are trying to make kids drink more water. I have a big issue with not being able to sell bottled water.”

Liberal councillor Troy Marquart questioned staff on enforcement in the event a group is caught using bottled water or balloons.

Council’s director of roads, transport, drainage and waste Boris Bolgoff said while council was limited in enforcement actions, it could issue warnings in the first instance and potentially prevent groups holding events if they continue to disregard council’s policy.

Mayor Jane Smith said the policy reinforced council’s waste management commitments. Picture: Sue Graham

Plastic bottles would be replaced by filtered water.

Cr Marquart disagreed with the policy, saying many volunteers worked hard across the coast to put on events for the community.

“There are volunteers out there that work their bums off,” he said.

“This is going to impact every single festival.”

Independent councillor Louise Greenaway championed the policy, and said it was aimed at “encouraging a change in the community”.

“It is by no means a change that is going to punish anybody that brings a bottle of water to an event,” she said.

Mayor Jane Smith said the policy “reinforced the importance of the education programs on offer to involve the community on ways forward to seek alternatives of single use plastics”.

The policy can be viewed at yourvoiceourcoast.com and submissions left.