Council endorses changes to releasing helium balloons

Published on 26 April 2018

Rockhampton Regional Council has today endorsed a change to its local laws to reduce the impact of helium balloons on the environment.

Planning and Regulation Committee Chair Councillor Ellen Smith said the addition would see penalties apply to people who deliberately release helium balloons.

“This is already part of state legislation so today’s endorsement of this local law is really about consistency,” Cr Smith said.

“Effectively, penalties will apply for people who deliberately release helium balloons outdoors which can’t be recovered and wind up as litter in our waterways and natural environment.

“Many Councils have taken similar approaches and it’s further incentive for residents to ensure helium balloons are properly disposed of rather than being let go once their party or event is over,” Cr Smith said.

Environment Councillor Drew Wickerson said no one would be surprised at the damage the balloons can cause to wildlife when they come back down.

“We’ve all seen the photos of animals like turtles mistaking balloons for food which has fatal consequences and we see this as a step toward reducing that risk in our environment,” Cr Wickerson said.

“We know that the majority of people do the right thing and this isn’t about punishing anyone who accidentally lets a balloon go but is more of an incentive for everyone to do the right thing.

“It’s been really pleasing already to see examples of the community already changing their approach such as the organisers of last year’s NAIDOC March replacing their balloon release with a tree planting,” Cr Wickerson said.

The local law is not in effect yet and will now go through the state-mandated processes before being formally adopted and implemented.

The local law on releasing helium balloons is included below;

16 Releasing helium balloons

A person must not release an unsecured balloon containing helium unless the

balloon is—

(a) released unintentionally and without negligence; or

(a) released inside a building or structure and does not make its way into the

open air; or

(b) released for scientific, including meteorological, purposes; or