15 March 2019

The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian, MP
Premier of New South Wales

CC: The Hon. John Barilaro MP, The Hon. Gabrielle Upton MP, The Hon. Jonathan O'Dea MP, Ministers, Karen Joynes of No Balloon Release Australia

Call for Effective Legislation to Ban the Deliberate Release of Balloons

Dear Premier,

I am writing to you to request a meeting to discuss options to introduce legislation prohibiting the deliberate release of balloons into the environment. I am a member of the balloon industry, a balloon professional, a local business owner and a Director of the Pro Environment Balloon Alliance (PEBA). 

Current legislation and policy pertaining to balloons is adhoc and fragmented making it unmanageable for our industry, the public, the environment and regulators.

There are over 540 Local Government Areas and 8 States and Territories having different legislation and policies and many have no regulation at all. We need uniformity at a state-wide level to provide consistency and surety for all stakeholders and jurisdictions. 

The Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales have similar regulations permitting 19 balloons to be released. In Queensland, the release of balloons is not permitted under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.

We are requesting that the New South Wales Government adopt a policy like that of Queensland which would also set a precedent for other states and territories to follow and welcome a commitment from the Liberal Government in support of these initiatives. We are also calling on that the other states and territories to do the same, as a ban on the deliberate release of balloons would be much more effective at a state-wide level rather than a local government level.

We have copied Karen Joynes from No Balloon Release Australia into this correspondence. Karen and representatives of PEBA met with the Federal Environment Minister's Office in Canberra last year and were advised his office as well as the the management team that oversee the Threat Abatement Plan into the impacts of marine debris on the vertebrate wildlife of Australia's coast and oceans (2018), that each territory and state's Litter Act was the appropriate avenue for a ban on the release of balloons.

Within 18 months and with over 700 members, PEBA has grown into the largest balloon industry association in the world. PEBA has members in 37 different countries and new chapters have opened in the UK, Norway and the US. 

Major associations around the world have adopted our policies and the largest balloon manufacturers are introducing packaging, advertising and policies in line with PEBA’s views on balloons and the environment.

In 2018, PEBA co-signed the Zoo's Victoria submission to State & Territory Environment Ministers, along with 20 peak environmental organisations, calling for uniformity in state legislation that supports a ban on balloon releases. Whilst PEBA is driving responsible change in the industry and doing its best to educate the public, industry alone cannot make the necessary changes without government support. 

Balance is required to develop policies that are environmentally responsible, are commensurate with the actual level of impact and do not unnecessarily deprive balloon artists and small business owners of their livelihoods.

We are requesting a meeting with the relevant department to find out how the New South Wales Government can help the industry and the community progress into an environmentally and economically responsible future.

Yours faithfully 
Chris Adamo
Founding Director - PEBA
Ph. 0418 662 070
admin@peba.com.au
www.peba.com.au