City of Casey (Melb) bans flying of kites

CASEY children will have to go fly their kites somewhere else.

The council has banned kites and model aircraft from public parks, reserves and sportsgrounds.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should children be allowed to fly kites in Casey's parks and reserves? Tell us below.

Those caught flying without a permit face a $233.64 fine.

The Leader asked several neighbouring councils if they had similar laws. None did.

Berwick mother-of-two Jacqueline Farquhar was shocked to hear about the ban.

"This is taking the fun away for children," she said.

"It's healthy and it brings families together."

Pakenham and District Aircraft and Radio Control Society president, Ivan Chiselett, said he thought it was ridiculous.

"I've been flying model aircraft since I was a child and I've never been injured, or injured anyone," Mr Chiselett said.

"But I have heard of plenty of kids getting injured kicking a footy around or playing cricket. Should we ban those sports? Where does it stop?"

A Royal Children's Hospital spokeswoman said the hospital had only treated two kite-related injuries in the past decade - and both were due to falls.

Casey Community Safety manager Caroline Bell the city had introduced the ban following complaints about low-flying aircraft and noise.

"Council staff have also been required to repair damage resulting from people warming up their petrol engine aircraft on oval surfaces, causing considerable burning of grass as well as spillage of petrol on the grass surface," Ms Bell said.