Molly's campaign reaches new heights as Cairns council vows to ban plastic straws
Cairns Regional Council will ban single use plastic straws across all of its venues and offices after a lobbying campaign by 10-year-old environmentalist Molly Steer.
Molly fronted local councillors at a Planning and Environment Committee meeting this morning to make the request as part of her Straw No More campaign, which continues to gain momentum in schools and businesses across the region.
In response, councillors voted unanimously to support Molly’s call to ban plastic straws.
In a special motion put forward by Mayor Bob Manning, council paid tribute to Molly and fellow anti-plastic campaigner Nicole Nash for their efforts to change public attitudes and, eventually, legislation.
Cr Manning said council would seek to remove plastic straws and other single-use plastics from its venues and also encourage events and markets on council land to become plastic-free.
"Cairns is the principal gateway to one of the world's most iconic natural assets: The Great Barrier Reef," Cr Manning said.
"Molly has gained great traction with her Straw No More campaign and we owe her the opportunity to grow up with the same pristine natural wonders that we enjoyed as children."
