Orange residents dedicated to environmental sustainability have a chance to have their projects showcased on a national stage at this year’s NSW Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns awards.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the awards, held in November, are designed to encourage, motivate and celebrate sustainability achievements of communities across Australia.
“The awards are a chance for community groups to share project attempts and successes with other like-minded groups, to learn from each other,” Cr Kidd said.
Orange’s Tody Towns Committee Chair Kevin Duffy said the awards event, hosted over two days, consisted of networking with sustainability leaders around the state, finalist case studies, as well as highlights and suggestions from the various assessors from all over NSW.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain professional advice on how to improve grass-roots projects and ultimately improve the sustainability of our own backyard,” Cr Duffy said.
“Nominations for the awards are open now so be sure to get your submissions in before Monday July 8.”
Category entrants may include Tidy Towns groups, individuals, youth organisations, landcare groups, chambers of commerce, schools, registered clubs, service organisations, tourism associations, small enterprises and Industry.
Projects may be ongoing but they must have recent significance with results shown over the 2018/2018 financial year.
Award Categories include:
- Waste Less, Recycle More Waste Award
The Waste Less, Recycle More Award is for a project or program that tackles a range of waste and recycling problems.
- Return and Earn Litter Prevention Award
The Return and Earn Litter Prevention Award is for a program or project that provides for and encourages the use of the Return and Earn scheme in a local area.
- Habitat and Wildlife Conservation Award
The Habitat and Wildlife Conservation Award is for projects which create, restore and sustain biodiversity of our native flora and fauna in urban environments, creating wildlife corridors and encouraging habitat conservation.
- Heritage and Culture Award
The Heritage and Culture Award is for community projects that enhance and protect our unique, and built heritage, including celebration of a regions heritage.
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Award
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Award is for community projects that enhance and protect Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in a local area.
- Young Legends Environmental Award (under 25)
The Young Legends Environmental Award is for an individual or groups of individuals (25 years and under who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their environment and show leadership in pursuing environmental outcomes in any of the preceding categories e.g. Litter, wildlife conservation waste minimisation etc.,
- Schools Environmental Achievement Award
The Schools Environmental Achievement Award is for New South Wales schools that can demonstrate outstanding sustainability achievement, sustainable practices, reducing their environmental impact and leading the community by example
- Environmental Communication Award
The Environmental Communication Award is for programs and projects that inspire environmental action,
- Recycled Organics Award
The Recycled Organics Award is for projects and programs that minimise the loss of organics to landfill and supports the community to avoid, reduce and recycle organics
- Sustainable Projects Award
This award is for projects in Sustainable Development and recognises innovations in, and the application of, technology to achieve improved environmental performance, within their spheres of influence.
- Renewable Energy
The Renewable Energy Award is for progress and achievements in developing products or services associated with renewable energy.
- Response to Climate Change Award
The Response to Climate Change Award recognises actions taken by communities to tackle climate change,
- Community Spirit and Inclusion Award
The Community Spirit and Inclusion Award is awarded to communities that successfully address challenges. They must demonstrate proper planning, community partnerships and real outcomes to meet the challenge. This award is given to communities that refuse to ‘give in’ when facing a challenge.
- Overall Awards – NSW Tidiest Town and most Sustainable Community
The Overall Awards are awarded to regional councils, towns or villages that have successfully undertaken projects or actions in a number of areas of environmental sustainability and social inclusion in their size category.
Cr Duffy said Orange had a strong reputation to uphold in these awards given its success over recent years, winning the Regional Award for 2016 and 2018 and going on to represent NSW at the National Awards.
