Local Council Bans Balloons and Bottled Water at Public Venues

A local council plans to ban balloons and bottled water from kids’ birthday parties held at community venues in an attempt to reduce single-use plastic waste.

Central Coast Council, north of Sydney, endorsed the draft Single Use Plastic Policy at a council meeting on Monday.

The policy would prohibit the use of balloons and single use plastic water bottles at events held in open spaces and on council grounds.

Community members are already encouraged to minimise waste and use biodegradable products where possible, as in line Sustainable Event Management Policy.

Labor councillor Lisa Matthews told Daily Mail Australia she did not support the policy as it would ‘squash’ local sporting clubs ability to raise money and it did not offer the community members an alternative.

‘They (sports organisations) will only be allowed to sell Gatorades and soft drinks,’ Cr Matthews said.

Cr Matthews said it would go against the focus on encouraging children and young people to drink water instead of sugary liquids.

She recommended the installation of water fountains before implementing such a policy.

‘You shouldn’t take something away without supplying people with an alternative,’ she said.

In regards to the use of balloons, Cr Matthews stressed the importance of educating people to dispose of their litter.

‘We need to educate people about balloons. If you pop it, pick it up,’ she said.

‘Let’s educate people. If you want it, dispose of it.’

Mayor Jane Smith said, ‘This policy … reinforces the importance of the education programs on offer to involve the community on ways forward to seek alternatives of single use plastics,’ Mayor Smith said.

‘We will continue to lobby all levels of government to drive policy change that look to help reduce production and use of single use plastics.’

Do you support this policy change?

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25 Comments

- - mom268263 said
  - 31 Oct 2020
    10:59 pm
I get this, but it is a bit over the top to ban them.

- - mom152736 said
  - 03 Dec 2019
    1:57 pm
agree it helps the environment but also the kids love the balloons…:(

- - skbou said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    8:35 pm
Perhaps the balloons, they often get away, but then again it’s a lot more rare to see an escaped balloon than a water bottle.

- - mom129591 said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    12:58 am
I understand the environment factor, but it takes those simple things like a beautiful balloon to put a big smile on a child’s face.

- - serotonin said
  - 02 Jun 2019
    3:11 pm
If it helps the environment, why not.

- - nealsq said
  - 28 May 2019
    8:56 pm
all because some people can’t be bothered cleaning up after themselves

- - mom81879 said
  - 18 May 2019
    9:05 am
If people aren’t cleaning up, then of course they need to put policies in place to negate this. I thought it might have been to reduce litter for the environment. I know you can get bio degradable water balloons, so maybe you can get the same for balloons

- - becstalou said
  - 05 May 2019
    8:20 am
People don’t clean up after themselves and this is what happens as a result.

- - AmbieBambi said
  - 29 Apr 2019
    8:29 pm
Maybe balloons, but water bottles? I think that’s going a bit far

- - Ellen said
  - 15 Apr 2019
    6:41 pm
Ballons and single use water bottles are sure an attack on the environment. I’m happy if they would be forbidden in public places and parks. There are bubbers everywhere in this country.

- - mom303889 said
  - 13 Apr 2019
    2:17 pm
Balloon yes, hope they will ban those in shopping centre as well. If kids dun see it they wont complain about not having them.

- - mom93821 said
  - 13 Apr 2019
    6:50 am
Water needs to be available!

- - mom265671 said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    11:06 pm
Agree no alternative given, very Poor choice

- - Kate Sander said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    10:23 pm
I believe this is an over reaction. There is no need for the fun police to destroy parties by going to such lengths.

- - mom350461 said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    10:17 pm
Here come the party police…
I do my part for the planet and recycle and compost as much as I can so should a few balloons really hurt

- - mom356614 said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    7:34 pm
I wouldnt use a public water fountains for hygiene reasons, they gross me out!

- - BellaB said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    7:13 pm
I agree that you should install water stations before instituting the ban – but then I support it.

- - DaffyD said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    7:04 pm
I agree with both, the litter left behind in my local park after kids parties is disgraceful. Tge less they bring the less they leave behind

- - mom183717 said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    5:55 pm
I agree with balloons but not water bottles. They can be recycled
- mom93821 replied
  
  14 Apr 2019 , 5:42 am
  Hey can indeed be recycled!
  - mom93821 replied
    
    14 Apr 2019 , 5:53 am
    
    Oops! Should read they and not hey!
- - ashna9 said
  - 12 Apr 2019
    5:40 pm
That’s just stupid. Parties on public land should be able to bring water with them as long as they recycle it or take it away with them.