Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011

A person must not release, or cause the release of, a lighter-than-air balloon unless—

the release happens inside a building or another structure and the balloon does not escape from the building or other structure into the environment; or

the release is for scientific research, including, for example, meteorology.

For subsection (1), a person releases a lighter-than-air balloon if the person allows the balloon to float in the atmosphere while the balloon is not attached, directly or indirectly, to the earth’s surface or a relevant weight.

Without limiting subsection (1), a person is taken to have caused the release of a lighter-than-air balloon if—

the person attaches the balloon, whether directly or indirectly, to the earth’s surface or a relevant weight; and

the balloon detaches from the earth’s surface, or the relevant weight, without the assistance of another person; and

the person did not take reasonable steps to ensure the balloon could not detach from the earth’s surface or the relevant weight.

This section does not limit section 103.

In this section—

means an inflated balloon, or a lantern, that derives support in the atmosphere from buoyancy; but

does not include—

an inflated balloon, or a lantern, that carries 1 or more persons, including, for example, a hot air balloon or blimp; or

an inflated balloon, or a lantern, that is a remotely-piloted aircraft.

can not carry a person; and

either—

is remotely piloted or otherwise controlled; or

is able to be programmed to independently fly a particular route.