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Victoria Has Now Made It Illegal To Release Balloons Into The Air

Victoria Has Now Made It Illegal To Release Balloons Into The Air

Individuals can now be fined up to $16,500 for the act.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

People in Victoria can now expect a hefty fine if they release balloons into the air in public.

The government has been working at introducing legislation that penalises people who essentially throw away plastic pollution.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has now been given increased powers that came into force at the start of July.

Individuals who release a single helium balloon can now expect a fine of $991 and companies caught doing the wrong thing will be slapped with a $4,959 infringement.

But that's if they catch you chucking away just one balloon.

Egor Gribanov (Creative Commons)

If you're caught releasing a series of balloons, that fine skyrockets to $16,522 for individuals and $82,610 for businesses.

The EPA wrote about their expanded powers: "Wildlife can be seriously harmed or killed by balloons and their attachments. They can become entangled or ingest balloon litter.

"Balloons floating in the water can look like squid or jellyfish. Marine mammals, sea birds and turtles often mistake them for food.

"In Victoria, seals and other animals have been known to become entangled in balloon ribbons which can cause lasting damage."

The EPA does allow for people to fly balloons outside as long as you make sure they're properly tethered. But would you really want to risk one of them flying away?

You would also have to prove to the EPA that the flying of the balloons outside was simply 'unavoidable'.

In lieu of no more outdoor balloons, people have been urged to instead use bubbles, bunting, paper decorations, floating flowers or you could even plant a tree (as long as it has been approved by the jurisdiction of the area).

The ban has been celebrated by Wildlife Victoria, who wrote on Twitter: "This week marks a wildlife win with it now being illegal to release balloons into the environment. This new law will help save countless lives and protect our wildlife."

Thomas Bresson (Creative Commons)

Balloons have been listed as one of the most harmful forms of pollution for marine creatures as many mistake them for food. It clogs their insides and they eventually starve or choke to death.

Not only that, but balloons can drift to far away places and land next to land animals.

While you might think that's not all that horrible, it can give these animals one hell of a fright and cause damage or even death if the balloon pops.

Zoos Victoria campaigned against outdoor balloon releasing and saw more than 200,000 people support them.

Supporters say they will now blow bubbles to cut down on pollution.

Featured Image Credit: Suzie Tremmel (Flickr)

Topics: Australia