Late Friday afternoon Rockhampton Regional Council were crowned winners of two 2021 Australian Sustainable Communities - Tidy Towns Awards.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said winning the Environmental Sustainability – Natural Environment and Environmental Sustainability – Water categories is a fantastic achievement.
"Being named overall winners in the state, and then being nominated as national finalists, is a testament to many of the great initiatives happening across Council," Mayor Williams said.
"The overall nomination captured the diversity of the work that we are doing to improve on, and contribute to, the environmental sustainability of our Region.
"Whether it is Fitzroy River Water reducing energy usage and improving recycled water solutions, or the great work happening in resource recovery and waste management, to sustainability initiatives such as our Natural Resource Management and Living Sustainably programs just to name a few, we are doing some really fantastic work in this space!
Water and Environmental Sustainability Councillor said the national wins in the two categories is something we can all be very proud of.
"The Environmental Sustainability – Water award recognises FRW's recent water quality improvement works and Council's ongoing commitments as part of the Reef Guardian Council program," Cr Kirkland said.
"While the Environmental Sustainability – Natural Environment Management award recognises the significant collaborative activities undertaken to protect, maintain and enhance Nurim as part of the Mount Archer Activation.
"While we have delivered some incredible outcomes since adopting our Environmental Sustainability Strategy in 2018, we know there is always more that can be done.
"Being nominated as national finalist and winning in these categories is a wonderful acknowledgement to the work carried out so far, but it has also been an opportunity to learn from other Council's around the country.
"It was a real privilege to welcome Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns judge Gail Langley to the Region back in March, as it was important for us to be able to showcase these initiatives firsthand and to introduce just some of the people behind them."
Ms Langley recognised Rockhampton's leadership and innovation in water conservation and management, as well as strides taken to protect its natural environment.
"Rockhampton has demonstrated a deep commitment to protecting its waterways and environment by implementing several long-term programs and projects that protect, maintain and enhance important natural and cultural assets such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Fitzroy River and Nurim (Mount Archer)," Ms Langley said.
