The 2006 Local Government Association of Tasmania Awards for Excellence were announced in June. King Island Council took out the overall Gold Award, along with the Sustainable Community Assets Category, for its Currie Sewage Treatment Wetlands.
Located at the western entrance to Bass Strait, King Island Council is committed to improving the natural environment to a state that is sustainable for future generations. Council developed a new sewage treatment facility to protect the ecosystem, minimise costs and improve public health. As a result, wastewater pumped into Bass Strait is now far more environmentally friendly.
Completed in late 2005, the Currie sewage system was constructed at Currie’s Lighthouse Reserve. Nestling within coastal dunes, the system uses wetland vegetation as a natural filtering system to treat all wastewater used by the township of Currie.
By using natural processes of sedimentation, filtration and biological transformation of organic matter, the system has minimal energy and chemical requirements, lessening greenhouse production from the town.
The only mechanical parts can be found at the front end, where coarse and fine screens remove solids, and an aerator ensures that odour emissions are controlled. Water quality at the outfall meets all permit requirements and preliminary investigations indicate that the water from the system could potentially be reused for purposes such as irrigation.
Hobart City Council won the Developing Council People Category for its Turf Maintenance and Irrigation Local Area Work Agreement. Faced with the need for increased flexibility to keep its Turf Maintenance and Irrigation Unit sustainable, Hobart looked to its own people to find the solution.
Council collaborated with employees and the Union to develop a solution that has increased efficiency and enhanced worker satisfaction. The arrangement provides flexibility across peak and trough periods and the team delivers a service that is achieving recognition locally and nation wide.
Circular Head Council’s hydrotherapy pool received an Innovation and Creativity Award. With no local pool for residents requiring rehabilitation and physiotherapy, Council approached a local resort planning to develop a pool complex. Aided by a Community Fund Grant, Circular Head now has a Memorandum of Understanding with the resort that guarantees a level of access and ongoing financial support for the pool.
The new Circular Head hydrotherapy facility attracts 3,000 visits per year and now saves residents what previously was a two and a half hour return trip to use a similar facility.
The Invigorating Communities Award was won by Glenorchy City Council. Council’s Glenorchy On Track project is designed around the principles of peer education. It aims to make a difference to the health and well being of the young people of Glenorchy. Endorsed by the national depression initiative, Beyondblue, the program comprises five one hour sessions that cover the medical, personal and broader aspects of depression.
Get on Track stands out for its youth led approach as it involved young people in researching, designing and delivering the program.
