Some 27 Councils across Australia registered more than 62 gardens in an effort to take out one of the coveted Australian Local Government Flower Awards. Held in November by the Australian Local Government Association and Bedding Plants Australia (BPA), the awards highlight an often neglected part of Local Government work – the humble flower garden.
The City of Bayswater in Western Australian took out the national award. It received $1,000 worth of seedlings for next season planting, as well as registration to attend the National Conference of the Australian Nursery and Gardening Industry in March next year. In its Progress Street shopping precinct, planter boxes provide a barrier to protect pedestrians from traffic. Roundabouts feature a central tree with petunias and pansies to suit the seasons. The colourful roundabouts receive high acclaim from residents and visitors to the area.
Chairman of judges and media gardening expert, Graham Ross, said in a State with water restrictions for several years, Bayswater had produced stunning presentations of annuals that had really brightened up the community.
Colac Otway Shire received the State award for Victoria, for its planting out of three beds. The judges said using old fashioned methods of mounding garden beds and different height annuals, they had increased the impact of the displays dramatically.
The City of Botany and Young Shire Council were joint winners for New South Wales. Botany’s entries were street plantings while Young’s were plantings in the Central Business District (CBD). Judges said Botany’s streetscape gardens were in a difficult environment and industrial areas, but they managed to significantly brighten up the streets.
Young’s CBD flower gardens added to a ‘feel good’ and proud community.
Brisbane City received the Queensland award for their City Botanic Gardens that were of an international standard. Masses of petunias, snapdragons, dianthus and alyssum were used in the beds and judges were impressed with the meticulous attention to detail and the effect created by the use of different plants.
Launceston City Council submitted three garden entries, taking out the award for Tasmania.
Each State winner received a framed certificate, a plaque for display at the site of the winning garden and $500 of seedlings for next season planting.
