Case studies: How local governments are leading the - Quit Victoria

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Across the country numerous
councils have adopted policies to
make more outdoor areas smoke-free.
The following case studies showcase
examples where councils have led
the way in implementing smoke-free
policies in outdoor areas.
Monash City Council
Monash City Council was the first
Victorian council to ban smoking at
children’s playgrounds. A new local law
was made by resolution of Monash City
Council and came into effect at all 126
council playgrounds from 1 July 2007.
The local law proposed by Cr Paul Klisaris
protects the health and wellbeing of
children. Cr Klisaris believes the ban has
a positive effect on children as they model
their behaviour on adults.
“This campaign has proven very
successful and has strong support within
the community,” said Cr Klisaris. “In
addition to the positive health message
this has sent our children, a secondary
benefit of the ban was the reduction in
discarded cigarette butts”.
Monash residents were informed of the
new local law through a public awareness
campaign and no smoking signs were
erected at playgrounds. The council was
also required to gazette the decision in
the Victorian Government Gazette.
The local law stipulates a non-compliance
penalty of $107 for individuals, although
the council has not yet been required to
issue this fine. Monash Mayor Charlotte
Baines said that although enforcement
was difficult to monitor, people who
unknowingly smoke in an area covered
by the ban are often informed by other
community members that they are in a
no-smoking area.
“It is virtually self-policing. No smoking
signs were erected in all playgrounds.
In nearly all cases, the signage has been
sufficient to result in deterring people
from smoking near the playgrounds,”
said Cr Baines.
In recognition of the new local law the
City of Monash was awarded the state
winner of the Heart Foundation’s Local
Government Award in 2008.
For more information visit
www.monash.vic.gov.au
Surf Coast Shire
In early 2008 the Surf Coast Shire received
a request from a local community group,
the Surfrider Foundation, to consider
implementing a policy of smoke-free
beaches within the shire.
A working group was formed to investigate
the issue. Members of the group included
the Surf Coast Shire, the Great Ocean
Road Coast Committee, Barwon Region
Waste Management Group, Department
of Sustainability and Environment, Parks
Victoria and Surfrider Foundation.
The objectives of the smoking ban were to:
1. Provide community leadership
by taking measures to protect the
health and social wellbeing of the
community members;
2. Minimise cigarette butt pollution in
public places including beaches and
open space areas;
3. Improve public amenity and
maintenance of public property;
4. Improve the health of community
members; and
5. Raise community awareness of the
issues associated with smoking.
Surf Coast Shire adopted an educative
approach with the initial implementation
of the local law. Signage has been in
place since adoption in 2008 with
brochures and other promotional
material distributed throughout the shire.
Additional signage and butt bins will be
installed for the 2010-11 summer season.
Audits undertaken by the Great Ocean
Road Coast Committee (which manages
the foreshore) have indicated a drop in the
amount of litter from cigarette butts since
the introduction of the smoke-free policy.
Cr. Libby Mears, the Mayor at the time
when the changes were introduced,
said: “The success of the restrictions is
a testament to the co-operation of local
agencies, including the Great Ocean
Road Coast Committee and the Surfrider
Foundation, the community’s respect for
the coast and the work of council staff”.
The council was awarded the state
winner of the Heart Foundation’s Local
Government Award in 2009.
For further information:
Governance and Regulatory Services
Surf Coast Shire
Ph. (03) 5261 0600