Coffs Harbour has won the 2002 international Nations In Bloom Award, the world’s only international competition addressing management of the environment and enhancement of quality of life. In October 2002, Coffs Harbour was named the winner of Category B, for cities with a population of up to 75,000. Coffs is the first Australian city to win the coveted award, which is endorsed by the United Nations Environment Program.
The award recognises Coffs Harbour’s commitment to planning for economic, social and environmental sustainability. As well as winning the competition in Category B, Coffs Harbour was awarded a Gold Award for excellence. An international panel of environmental specialists judged the competition, basing their selection on the following criteria.
Enhancement of the Landscape
How the landscape has been enhanced to create environments that generate civic pride, facilitate enjoyable recreational experiences and improve the quality of life within your community. This includes the use and enhancement of both hard and soft landscape.
Heritage Management
How the community values, preserves and manages, for the benefit of the community, its cultural heritage and its built and natural, historical and national heritage.
Environmentally Sensitive Practices
How the community has adopted environmentally sensitive practices and pursues initiatives that result in sustainable management of the environment.
Community Involvement
The extent of community involvement in the context of its cultural environment in the practical maintenance, management and planning of aspects of the local environment. This includes the business sector, individual volunteers and the community as a whole.
Planning for the future
The community’s use of sensitive and creative planning techniques for the creation of longer term, sustainable, liveable communities.
Projects which secured Coffs Harbour’s win included the City Centre Revitalisation, Regional Water Supply, Coffs Harbour Sewerage Strategy, and community involvement in a range of social, environmental and economic development projects.
