An attempt to ban balloons on council-owned or managed land has been launched by Hobsons Bay Boomerang Bags volunteers.
Boomerang Bags is an initiative to reduce reliance on single-use plastic, one of the biggest contributors to pollution in waterways and oceans.
Group founder Marilyn Olliff and other volunteers have submitted a letter to Hobsons Bay council calling for a balloon ban because the rubber and attached strings end up as “potentially dangerous waste … posing a significant hazard to our local wildlife”.
“It is well documented that many birds and animals are injured and killed each year by becoming entangled or ingesting this waste,” the letter states.
The letter was tabled at last week’s Hobsons Bay council meeting and an officer’s report on the matter will be considered at a future meeting.
Neighbouring Maribyrnong has banned balloons from council-funded festivals.
Maribyrnong planning services director Nigel Higgins said the council required waste management plans for each council funded-festival.
“These plans include a ‘no balloons at festivals section’,” he said.
