Sydney councils issue warning against Halloween decorations
Two Sydney councils have called for a green Halloween, urging residents to stick to environment-friendly decorations this year.
In a post on Facebook, Willoughby City Council urged people to keep Halloween "fun and wildlife-friendly".
"We love seeing all the spooky, creative decorations pop up in our neighbourhoods this time of year," the post read.
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Synthetic cobweb Halloween decorations pose a danger to animals, it's been warned. Getty Images/iStockphoto
"But here's a small thing to keep in mind: fake spiderwebs, while spooky, can be harmful to birds and other wildlife."
The post warned that animals could get tangled in the decorations or even take them for food and eat them.
"Together, we can enjoy a spooky season without scaring off our feathered and furry neighbours," the post read.
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People are urged to used natural materials - like jack o'lantern pumpkins. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Inner West Council joined the call as well, posting a video to Facebook.
Instead of synthetic cobwebs, fishing line, plastic rope and string, or balloons, they urged residents to use materials like straw, organic cotton wool, sticks and twigs, leaves and pumpkins, and upcycled or reusable decorations.
People in NSW cannot be fined or penalised for decorating their homes unless those decorations can be presumed to be offensive or a hazard.
However, littering certainly is an offence, so residents are advised to keep their decorations neat and clean up after the holiday is over.
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