New South Wales’ City of Canada Bay has taken out the overall Keep Australia Beautiful Australian Sustainable Cities award. The awards were announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, and Keep Australia Beautiful National Chairman, Don Chambers, at Parliament House in Canberra in October.
The Australian Sustainable Cities Awards recognise efforts by residents, community groups, businesses and all levels of government to strive for a sustainable and litter free environment.
The overall award recognises the City of Canada Bay’s proactive and innovative approach to sustainability and successfully engaging individuals, community groups, businesses and schools in a wide range of environmental projects and initiatives.
In addition to winning this title, Canada Bay also took out the Dame Phyllis Frost Litter Prevention, Water Conservation and Energy Innovation categories.
Senator Stephens congratulated Council for its work with community volunteers.
“Council’s Walk/Shop/Wheel program is a great initiative that has engaged the local community in actively reducing their eco footprint,” she said. “By distributing over 830 wheelie bags to those individuals who have committed to walking or riding to local shops, the program not only reduces carbon emissions, but encourages people to get fit at the same time.
“Providing residents with Powermates, which measure electricity, greenhouse gases and the cost of running electrical appliances, is another great way to build community awareness about the energy consumption of home appliances and of how this consumption can be minimised.”
Australian Sustainable Cities Judge Sean Rooney said that underpinning Canada Bay’s win was its comprehensive approach to creating a more sustainable city.
“Council has successfully combined a strong vision, holistic and inclusive planning, and effective on ground actions to demonstrate real impact and results,” he said.
Other 2009 Keep Australia Beautiful Australian Sustainable Cities Awards recipients
Community Action and Partnerships
Winner: Hobsons Bay City Council,Victoria
Highly commended: Palmerston City Council, NT
Resource Recovery and Waste Management
Winner: City of Port Adelaide Enfield, SA
Highly commended: OzHarvest, ACT
Environmental Innovation and Protection
Winner: City of Ipswich, Queensland
Highly commended: Brunswick River Restoration Action Group, WA
Heritage and Culture
Winner: Launceston City Council, Tasmania
Young Legends
Winner: City of Port Adelaide Enfield, SA.
