Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said the most impressive thing about Benalla Rural City’s Victorian Tidy Towns win was the way the whole community was involved in working together to improve their environment. Benalla Rural City Council, the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE and various community groups worked in partnership on the Municipality’s successful 2005 Tidy Towns Award bid.
“Benalla’s 2005 Victorian Tidy Towns win exemplifies the way in which our community groups are willing to work together to achieve sustainability for future generations and acknowledges the many outstanding programs they undertake to make the Rural City environmentally responsible and socially just,” said Benalla Rural City Council Mayor, John Brownstein.
Councillor Brownstein said participating in the Tidy Towns awards gave the Rural City an excellent opportunity to promote itself Australia wide as an attractive place to live or visit.
Benalla’s projects covered waste, recycling, wildlife, arts, heritage, recreation, weeds and roads, and incorporated the work of Council, education providers and community organisations.
Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE found the submission process complemented its education program enabling students to increase their understanding of numerous local community programs.
After winning the 2005 Victorian Tidy Town title, Benalla Rural City subsequently received two major awards in the Australian Tidy Towns competition. The Dame Phyllis Frost Award for outstanding achievement was awarded to Mr Ray Thomas for his coordination of the Regent Honeyeater Project which involves large scale revegetation works. The Protection of the Environment Award was granted for Rural City’s strong commitment to broad environmental protection and innovation aimed at preserving the important natural values of the area and for encouraging sustainable use and development.
Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria has chosen Benalla to host the State Awards in September 2006.
