Thuringowa City Council has taken out a national award for sustainability, recognising its outstanding achievements in sustainability as a small urban Council.
Council’s Environment and Community Services Chairperson, Councillor Jenny Lane, said the Silver Environs Award recognises the efforts in sustainability across the whole of Council.
“The award is selected from nominations Australia wide and recognises the steps Council has taken to provide significant environmental leadership,” Councillor Lane said. “Thuringowa was praised for its visionary approach to providing a progressive, modern City, while investing in projects and programs that reduce our reliance on non renewable energy.”
Presented in Melbourne in September, the awards were judged by an independent panel from universities and Local Government authorities and allowed individual Councils to be judged against their peers. Councillor Lane said several Council departments contributed to achieving the award, including Planning, Riverway, Property Services, Thuringowa Waste, Parks Environmental Management and Fleet.
“Our Riverway complex has been designed for energy efficiency and our corporate vehicle fleet predominantly consists of hybrid vehicles, which has reduced our fuel consumption by about 15,000 litres each year,” Councillor Lane said. “We have installed solar panels at our Hervey Range Waste Transfer Station and are planning to do the same at our Civic Centre. In addition to this, over half of our City parks are watered by a radio controlled, weather responsive irrigation network, significantly reducing water consumption.”
Thuringowa City Council was also recognised for its commitment to increasing community awareness of sustainability issues, and joining with corporate partners to deliver high value education programs and initiatives.
“In partnership with Townsville City Council and our corporate partner, Powerlink, we have brought business, the community and Local Government together under the Community Environment Fund,” Councillor Lane said. “This three year, $1.5 million program funds environmental projects that improve wildlife habitat, create ecologically sensitive recreational areas, reduce the impact of electrical infrastructure and provide on the job training opportunities for the community. To date, over 4,000 trees have been planted in the Thuringowa area as part of the project.”
For further information contact Brianna Janson at Thuringowa City Council on (07) 4773 8412.
