Tweed Shire Council has taken out the New South Wales (NSW) Business Chamber’s 2015 Excellence in Sustainability Award.
The NSW Government’s Office of Environment and Heritage sponsor the award. It is given in recognition of a business that is working to reduce its impact on the environment.
In 2014, Council prepared an Environmental Prioritisation Strategy to bring together its existing environmental management programs and policies. The strategy clarified what sustainability meant across the organisation and determined where efforts needed to be concentrated for maximum results.
With an annual electricity bill of approximately $4.5 million, Council identified reducing energy costs as a significant focus and implemented a series of efficiency initiatives that have reduced net energy costs by $450,000 in the last 12 months.
Council also worked with 95 landowners in the past year to conserve 450 hectares of habitat for the protection and enhancement of threatened species.
Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Katie Milne, said: “It is vital that Council sets a good example in sustainability so it’s fantastic that we have won this award.
“Thankfully the world seems to finally be moving on from the dangerous position of climate change denial. Unfortunately with all the time that has been wasted there is now a greater need than ever to take serious action to keep our planet as safe as possible.”
Council’s General Manager Troy Green said Tweed Shire Council staff and Councillors felt extremely honoured to be recognised at a state level for their efforts.
“This award reflects the strong culture that has developed within our council across all business units to ensure that we are operating in a sustainable way.
“Importantly, it shows that it makes good business sense.”
NSW Business Chamber Northern Rivers Regional Manager John Murray congratulated the Council for winning the state wide award.
“Taking out the state’s top honours for sustainability at the NSW Business Chamber’s annual awards caps off a fantastic year for the Council, which was also recognised for “Excellence in Environmental Leadership and Sustainability for a Population over 15,000” at the 2015 NSW Local Government Awards,” Mr Murray said.
“This is a fantastic achievement for the Council and sets an excellent example for both businesses and other local councils across the state.”
