It will be more than disappointing if they succeed, as plastic waste is becoming highly visible in river and beach sand
Friday 21 June 2019
Clarence Valley Council is considering prohibiting the sale or distribution of balloons on council controlled land
Clarence Valley Council is considering prohibiting the sale
or distribution of balloons on council controlled land.
Given the
numerous waterways within the Clarence Valley such a ban would be a wise move.
Typically
those councillors who are ideologically opposed to any move to protect the
environment and local wildlife will be out to quash the motion progressing the
proposed ban when it comes before the Ordinary Monthly Meeting on 25 June 2019.
It will be more than disappointing if they succeed, as plastic waste is becoming highly visible in river and beach sand
It will be more than disappointing if they succeed, as plastic waste is becoming highly visible in river and beach sand
Excerpts from
Clarence Valley Council’s 18 June 2019 Environment,
Planning & Community Committee Business Paper:
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
That:
1. All balloons be
prohibited on Council managed lands and facilities.
2. The terms and
conditions for the hire of Council parks and facilities be amended to restrict
the sale and distribution of balloons.
3. Council’s Market
Policy be amended to include a condition restricting the sale and distribution
of balloons and the changes adopted.
4. Future development
consents for function centres or similar facilities be conditioned to restrict
the sale and distribution of balloons.
5. Council implement a
public awareness campaign about the environmental impacts of balloons.
BACKGROUND
There has been considerable community debate over many years
regarding the adverse environmental impacts from the release of balloons into
the environment. At its meeting held on 8 February 2019 the Climate Change
Advisory Committee resolved to recommend that Council:
1. Prohibit all balloons
on Council managed land.
2. Include a condition in
any development consent for function centres (Party/Event venues) to prohibit
balloons.
3. Instigate a public awareness campaign about the environmental
impacts of balloons.
KEY ISSUES
Any released balloon, at best, becomes litter. They may also end
up in the stormwater, rivers and oceans where they are ingested by aquatic
animals. The balloons, along with any ribbons or plastic disks attached, can
harm the animals by blocking their airways or becoming lodged in their
intestines. Balloons and balloon fragments are often mistaken for food and
swallowed, which can cause injury and death. The string attached to the balloon
can also be dangerous as they can strangle or entrap animals. Birds have been
found tangled in the strings of balloons making them unable to fly or search for
food. A 2016 CSIRO study identified balloons among the top three most harmful
pollutants threatening marine wildlife, along with plastic bags and bottles.
NSW Legislation
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act (POEO) makes it
illegal to release more than 20 helium filled balloons, the release of any type
of balloon would also be considered a littering offence under the POEO Act.
Management Controls
Council has a number of opportunities to control the use of
balloons on Council controlled lands through the terms and conditions for the
approval and hire of various parks and facilities. Councils ‘Market Policy’
could be amended to include a condition banning the sale or distribution of
balloons. Council can also impose a condition on development consents for any
future function centre or similar development restricting the use of balloons.
It is not envisaged that Council Rangers would actively enforce these controls,
rather they would be managed through the hiring and approval systems with event
organisers.
Alternatives to Balloons
There are many examples
of alternatives to balloons including flags, banners, streamers, dancing
inflatables, bunting, lighting of candles and luminaries, battery operated
bubble blowing machine and plants or gifts in remembrance.
Labels:
balloons,
Clarence Valley Council,
environment,
litter,
waste
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