Keep Australia Beautiful – Sustainable Cities awards

Environment Minister James Griffin was full of praise for the State’s ongoing success in its efforts to protect the environment at the annual Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards, co-sponsored by the EPA.

It was, he noted, one of his first official events as newly minted NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage.

“These awards celebrate the work being done in communities right across NSW to take ownership of our environmental fortunes,” Minister Griffin said.

“This, of course, is consistent with part of the original ethos of Keep Australia Beautiful – that everyone can pitch in.”

Projects that enhance the environment and improve the standard of living and well-being of urban communities have been a hallmark of the activities the program has recognised since its launch in 1994.

The Sustainable Cities program sets out to recognise and celebrate positive actions taken by councils, community groups, businesses, schools, and individuals in metropolitan areas to protect and enhance their local environments.

They encompass initiatives as diverse as litter prevention, recycling, resource recovery, protection of the environment, preserving heritage and indigenous culture, community action, leadership, education, and social well-being programs.

Recycled venue a fitting setting

The 2021 awards program, supported by the NSW EPA and Return & Earn, was held at the Q Station, the repurposed former North Head Quarantine Station, which provided the perfect venue for such an event.

City of Canada Bay took out the overall award for its diverse programs to engage the community in helping the council manage sustainability and environmental challenges into the future.

Minister Griffin praised the winning and highly commended projects for reflecting the ethos of Keep Australia Beautiful – that everyone can pitch in.

“It is also an ethos that I intend to hold dear as Minister – that we can work in partnership to protect, restore and conserve our unique natural environment,” he said.

“I congratulate and thank every nominee and winner.

“The NSW Government seeks to reflect your aspirations in our efforts to foster a circular economy.

“Reducing waste, supporting recycling, greater resource recovery and lowering emissions are the common thread to our agenda.”

Minister Griffin also had particular praise for the Return and Earn scheme, which has reduced beverage container litter by 52 per cent since it was introduced in 2017.

“It is both wonderfully simple, and wildly successful,” he said.

“It taps the community’s desire to take responsibility for better environmental outcomes.

“That is what your awards represent and honour.

“I applaud your ongoing efforts and look forward to partnering with you.”

EPA sponsored awards

NSW EPA Executive Director Engagement Education and Programs Liesbet Spanjaard said the Sustainable Cities Awards inspired councils and their communities to make a genuine and lasting contribution to their area, with partnerships between local authorities, businesses, community groups, schools and individuals.

Ms Spanjaard presented EPA sponsored Litter Prevention Award to Sydney by Kayak for its Clean-Up Eco Tour.

“This is an inspiring example of a business that saw a need and moved to fix it by cleverly adjusting its business model,” Ms Spanjaard said.

“Originally a kayak tour business, Sydney by Kayak founder Laura Stone and her regular paddlers were keen to pick up any floating plastics they came across during their tours,” Ms Spanjaard said.

“This dedicated clean-up paddle removed 1.3 tonnes of rubbish from Sydney Harbour in the past year and raised $16,500 for conservation initiatives.”

Keep Australia Beautiful NSW CEO Val Southam said she was very proud of the Sustainable Cities Awards’ history.

“We are very excited to celebrate the fantastic achievements and spirit of communities and Councils, which remain strong during such difficult and challenging times,” she said.

“These awards instil optimism and highlight positive outcomes even during times of hardship.”

For more information, visit www.kabnsw.org.au