The final straw for straws in Salisbury
THE City of Salisbury’s ban on plastic straws at Council-run events will come into effect at this weekend’s Salisbury Secret Garden.
Elected Members last month voted to only allow biodegradable straws at Council-run events with the move already well received by stall holders.
The policy will have a six month phase-in period but all food and drink vendors attending Salisbury Secret Garden from February 22-24 in Pitman Park will to abide by the new rule.
Salisbury Secret Garden is set to attract more than 10,000 people across three days in a picturesque setting at Pitman Park, and thousands of straws will be saved from ending up in land-fill.
The free-event dubbed the ‘Fringe Hub of the North’ features world-class music, food and entertainment, including a free concert from Indie-pop sensation Sheppard on Saturday. Sunday’s Family Fun Day with popular children’s entertainer Monski Mouse is expected to draw more than 4000 people.
The City of Salisbury run a range of other events throughout the year including Salisbury Plays – a series of action-packed events encouraging families to get outdoors – an Australia Day breakfast and the Salisbury Writers’ Festival. All of them will now be plastic straw free.
City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge, OAM, said the City of Salisbury had long been a leader on environmental sustainability, and pointed to its world famous wetlands as an example of the area’s track record on sustainability.
She said the ban on plastic straws showed Council was committed to remaining a leader in sustainability.
“I am very pleased that we’ve taken this decision because it sets an excellent example,” Mayor Aldridge said.
“Salisbury Secret Garden is going to be a truly unique and wonderful event in Pitman Park this year and it will also lead the way on environmental sustainability.”
The ban does not apply to provision of a biodegradable straw upon request to ensure people with an inability to drink without a straw are not disadvantaged.
