At the April meeting of the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, councillors voted unanimously to ban the release of balloons at council events and council-managed reserves.
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It followed a written request from Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Liz Innes for the council to join Eurobodalla’s campaign to ban balloon releases to help protect the local environment.
In her letter, Cr Innes outlined the environmental harm caused by balloons, which take months to break down and can cause harm to animals, both on land and in waterways.
She said: “We understand that in NSW, under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 – Amendment (Balloons) Act 2000, it is illegal to release 20 or more gas-filled balloons, at or about the same time.
“If smaller numbers of balloons are released, the balloons should not have any attachments.
“On-the-spot fines can be given and penalties are much higher if over 100 balloons are released.
“The NSW legislation is, however, largely not monitored nor enforced, with large releases happening across NSW and Australia.
“Banning balloon releases is an important step we can all take to help protect our local environment.”
Upper Lachlan mayor Brian McCormack said the council was happy to support the ban. “The ban will play a small, but important, role in helping preserve the Shire’s natural environment and help to protect stock, as well as native fauna,” he said.
Wasp numbers increase
Upper Lachlan Shire Council is urging the community to be vigilant against European wasps after reports of infestations in the Shire.
The council also advised that European wasps have been sighted on private property near the Collector town centre.
The same size as a European Honeybee, European wasps are identified by a black and yellow body; yellow legs; triangular markings on the abdomen and black antennae.
They are less hairy than a honeybee and fold their wings back at rest.
The eradication of nest sites located on private property is the responsibility of land/property owners and should be undertaken with the assistance of a certified pest controller.
- If you have a nest, call the Department of Primary Industries: 1800 808 095