Environment Protection Authority makes it illegal to release balloons in Victoria

The deliberate releasing of balloons is now illegal in Victoria with the Environment Protection Authority now having increased powers to prevent harm to the environment from pollution and waste. The law was introduced from 1st July 2021, under section 115 of the Environment Protection Act 2017.

Wildlife can be seriously harmed or killed by balloons and their attachments. They can become entangled or ingest balloon litter. The CSIRO 2019 found that seabirds are up to 32 times more likely to die when they swallow balloons than any form of hard plastic.

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.

Zoos Victoria conservation campaigner Darcie Carruthers said the balloons “popped eventually and often landed in waterways where they’re eaten by fish or other wildlife”.

He said released helium balloons come back to earth as litter and threaten wildlife adding “turtles, shearwaters, albatross, platypus as well as farm animals are known to die from mistaking balloons as food, becoming entangled in the ribbons which prevents movement, flight and feeding, or choking on the plastic clips.”

Zoos Victoria along with No Balloon Release Australia have tirelessly campaigned for years on this and welcomed the news. Zoos Victoria thanked the 230,000 community members who helped bring attention to this important issue and been a voice for wildlife.

There are penalties for releasing balloons into the environment.

Under section 115 of the Environment Protection Act 2017, fines are:

• up to six penalty units ($991) for a person

• up to 30 penalty units ($4956) for a company.

For a series of balloon releases, and if taken to court, penalties are:

• up to 100 penalty units ($16,522) for a person

• up to 500 penalty units ($82,610) for a company.

If your activities, such as using helium balloons, pose a risk to the environment, you must take steps to minimise the risks. EPA recommends that you don’t use balloons outdoors.
If using balloons is unavoidable make sure you strongly secure them.

Zoos Victoria’s campaign, 'when balloons fly, seabirds die', has more information.