Motion by Cllr Willie Clarke to curb fires caused by BBQs gets full support
Sinn Féin Councillor Willie Clarke has welcomed the unanimous support for his motion on the Economic Regeneration and Tourism committee agenda on Monday evening (14th August 2023) seeking options to explore the use of single use barbecues in the countryside.
Cllr Clarke said that Council needed to explore options to reduce the damage caused by the irresponsible use of disposable barbecues to some Newry Mourne and Down District Council facilities as well as to vulnerable environmental areas.
Cllr Clarke said: “The proposal is about promoting the responsible use of disposable barbecues and encouraging people to be mindful of their surroundings and the environment that they are in.
“Council should also seek to develop an awareness programme in partnership with relevant stakeholders to highlight the potential harm that disposable barbecues can cause to sensitive environmental areas.
“Councillor officials have agreed to introduce clear localised signage and public messaging can be implemented to encourage the majority of visitors to reduce the use of disposable barbecues.
“In addition to a public awareness campaign, officers can also input into the review of Council byelaws and enforcement requirements which is due to be scheduled.
“The areas of the highest risk from wildlife are in natural habitats and in uncontrolled environments (e.g. within the three AONBs in South Down and on land not owned by Council.
“Officers will work with partner stakeholders via existing multi-agency forums and constituted groups (e.g. AONB & Landscape Partnerships, Wildfire Recovery Groups, etc).
“They can help develop awareness programmes and public messaging on the potential harm that disposable barbecues can cause to sensitive environmental areas.
Mournes Alliance Councillor Jill Truesdale said Alliance supported the motion 100%. She said: “Many councils in the UK and in Ireland have banned the use of these single use barbeques.
“It should not take a new Geopark status to create a ban on them.
“These barbeques can reach temperatures of up to 400 degrees and have a huge heat transfer. They have destroyed many wooden topped tables in parks.
“Council officials could check to see if putting a metal plate on the table tops will help to prevent damage to the tables and the fires spilling over to the environment.
“They can cause serious human injury too.”
SDLP Councillor Terry Andrews said that his party also supported the motion.
And DUP Mournes Councillor Glynn Hanna said: “We are happy to support the motion. In the right hands a barbecue is safe but some people are less careful.
“Also, some signage might help to raise awareness about the risks of fire from these single use barbecues.”
