The 2011 Victorian Landcare Bushfire Recovery Award was presented to Baw Baw Shire Council to recognise its recovery efforts following the Black Saturday bushfires.
It acknowledged its strong focus on community partnerships and benefits to the environment.
Baw Baw Shire Council was presented with the award at the recent Victorian Landcare Awards, held in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Landcare.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Diane Blackwood said it was wonderful to receive recognition for the hard work that staff and community members had put into these projects.
“The Council’s Natural Environment team has worked exceptionally hard identifying and establishing these community recovery projects,” she said.
“Completed projects included the Glen Cromie Walking Track, Picnic Point Reserve, Robin Hood Reserve, Labertouche Creek Bushland Reserve, Nangara Reserve, Jindivick to Nangara Reserve Bridle Trail and the Longwarry Bandicoot Walking Track.
“The $5,000 prize will go towards the different reserves and groups involved in the management and maintenance of each of the tracks and reserves.
“The Friends of Robin Hood Reserve and the Council were also nominated for the Local Government Community Partnership Award. A high commendation was received in this category.
“Following Black Saturday, fire affected communities established fire recovery plans, which identified reconnecting with the environment through the construction of walking trails and improvements to bushland reserves as key actions.
“The Council applied to the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority and was successful in obtaining funding to implement these projects identified in the fire recovery plans.”
