At a ceremony at Government House Canberra in April, the Victorian town of Beechworth was announced the Overall Winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful Australian Tidy Towns Awards for 2009/2010.
Through the awards, Keep Australia Beautiful is able to recognise local community and individual efforts that are helping rural and regional communities to become environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.
As well as winning the overall Australian title, Beechworth won the Dame Phyllis Frost Litter Prevention award and the Energy Innovation award. It also received a commendation in the Heritage and Culture award category.
“Beechworth’s diverse range of projects make up the community’s longstanding commitment to Tidy Towns and other related environmental and beautification approaches,” said Australian Tidy Towns National Judge Dick Olesinski. “Along with Beechworth’s Tidy Town committee and Indigo Shire, the community as a whole has a strong sense of commitment and pride and is involved in a broad range of initiatives to ensure a sustainable future.”
Beechworth and Indigo Shire Council have been recognised for commitment to reducing the impact of global warming by participating in the Cities for Climate Protection Program, a unique program that helps councils and their communities cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The town’s Sustainability Group holds regular workshops on new and innovative ways to conserve energy by educating residents on how to reduce home energy use.
Various litter reduction approaches are in place throughout Beechworth, with a strong focus on incorporating litter reduction messages and programs into the local education system to help long term adoption of positive behavioural change within the community.
Victorian Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, said Beechworth’s win comes from a strong sense of community and a commitment to continually protect and preserve the local environment.
“Beechworth is a great example of a Victorian regional community working together to improve the town’s appearance and create a sustainable future,” he said. “This win will no doubt encourage other towns to continue important beautification, regeneration and sustainability work.”
Other 2010 Australian Tidy Towns Award winners include:
- Community Action and Partnerships category – Lockhart, NSW
- Resource Recovery and Waste Management
category – Goolwa, SA - Environmental Innovation and Protection
category – Richmond, Tas - Water Conservation category – Rockhampton,
Qld - Heritage and Culture category – Barunga, NT
- Young Legends category – Port and South
Hedland, WA.
Keep Australia Beautiful Chairman and former Mayor of Indigo Shire Don Chambers said it was wonderful to see the mayors of all seven national finalists attend the Australian Tidy Towns Awards.
“We are hoping to see all the mayors at next year’s event and challenge State and Federal MPs for these communities to do the same,” he said.
“They can help take our message to State, Territory and Federal Governments, where the hard work of our volunteers can be rewarded by more practical support for their projects.”
For further information on the awards and winners visit www.kab.org.au
