Break O’Day Council’s marine waste pump out facility in Georges Bay has taken out the Gold Award at Tasmania’s Local Government Awards for Excellence. With winners announced on 5 June at Tasmania’s Local Government Annual Conference, Break O’Day’s entry also won the Environmental Innovation category. It was a timely announcement as this was also World Environment Day.
The marine waste pump out facility is the first of its kind in Tasmania. It is available to industry and the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to the awards judges, the pump out facility for marine craft is making a significant positive impact on the health of Georges Bay, one of North East Tasmania’s most valuable natural resources It is promoting sustainable development in this region.
The other category winners included the following.
- Launceston City Council in both the Community Development category, for its ‘Designing Out Crime – Designing In People’ strategy, and the Communication and Management category, for its Emergency Recovery Management Plan.
- The George Town and West Tamar Councils jointly won the Information Technology category for their website development, www.tamarvalley.com.au
Other award finalists for 2003 were the Huon Valley Council for a five year strategic plan focusing on sustainability; Clarence City Council for a vehicle coordination and management system; Central Highlands Council for a waste water assessment project for Crown lands shack sites; and Kentish Council for its ‘Community Rebuilding – CD Rom’ project.