The call has gone out for councils to share their environmental achievements as nominations open for the premier environmental awards for local government, by local government.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Cr Linda Scott said the Excellence in the Environment Awards will recognise and celebrate outstanding projects undertaken between January 2018 and June 2019.
"Environmental challenges, particularly the current recycling and waste crisis, are motivating councils to look for innovative, new ways to protect, restore and enhance our environment," Cr Scott said.
"Progress is being made in many other areas including parks, reserves, community facilities, and water and sewerage systems.
"Councils are also working to identify climate change risks and vulnerabilities facing their communities with support from the Increasing Resilience to Climate Change program."
The awards ceremony will be held on Monday 3 December from 9.30am at Sydney Olympic Park, and will include three new Award categories: Environmental Health Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Towards Net Zero Emissions.
The Environmental Health Management award recognises excellence and innovation in achieving environmental outcomes through environmental and population health initiatives, including community sharps and vector control. Climate Change Adaption recognises the important work being done by councils in this area, while the Towards Net Zero Emissions category recognises outstanding initiatives undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Nominations are invited from councils for these and 13 other categories:
- Asbestos Management
- Communication, Education and Empowerment
- Invasive Species Management
- Innovation in Planning, Policies and Decision Making
- Natural Environment Protection & Enhancement: On-Ground Works
- Roadside Environmental Management
- Resource Recovery
- Community Waste Services
- Behaviour Change in Waste
- Sustainable Infrastructure Award
- Water Management
- Local Sustainability
- Louise Petchell Memorial Award for Individual Sustainability.
Last year's Local Sustainability Award, with a $10,000 overseas study tour or professional development program for the overall winner, was taken out by the City of Parramatta, while the Louise Petchell Memorial Award for Individual Sustainability went to Randwick Council's Peter Maganov.
Sponsors on the LGNSW Excellence in the Environment Awards include Local Government Super, Wolfpeak, the Water Directorate, NSW Roadside Environment Committee, Ministry of Health, SafeWork NSW, the Environment Protection Authority, Office of Environment and Heritage
