In May, Thuringowa City Council’s QNI Eco Active Centre took out a major category at the Queensland EPA Sustainable Industries Awards staged in Brisbane. Now in their second year, the EPA Sustainable Industries Awards recognise Queensland business leaders, companies and technologies for setting best practice benchmarks in environmental performance and strategies for business sustainability.
This year, more than 100 entries were received across seven categories. Thuringowa won the Sustainability in the Public Sector Award for the Eco Active Centre, which is located at its Riverway precinct. The award is given for achievements towards sustainability in partnership with industry.
The QNI Eco Active Centre is a joint initiative between the City of Thuringowa, QNI and Ergon Energy.
QNI is the Queensland nickel business of BHP Billiton. The company contributed $700,000 toward the centre’s construction.
Ergon Energy contributed $30,000 and has also made available their expertise in renewable energy resources.
The Eco Active Centre communicates sustainable energy messages from all three partners, showcases their initiatives and gives practical advice on how visitors can apply these initiatives in day to day life.
Redland Shire Council was also recognised as a finalist in this category, for its Water and Waste Business Efficiency Program. Council is proactively engaging local businesses to develop longterm sustainable strategies, such as water efficiency and recycling. To date, 60 businesses are saving 129,000 litres of water a day through the program. This equates to 47 megalitres per year.
Redland also took part in a 12 week expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling trial, preventing over 600 cubic metres of EPS from ending up in landfill.
For further information on award categories and winners, visit the Queensland EPA website at www.epa.qld.gov.au
