Byron Shire Council's Sandhills Wetlands restoration project has won the Landscape section of the 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards.
The Awards showcase outstanding heritage projects, people, innovations, and achievements from across the state.
Phil Holloway, Director Infrastructure Services, said the award was recognition of what is one of the Council's most important cultural, environmental and drainage projects.
The original wetlands, on a 1.8-hectare site in the heart of Byron Bay, were destroyed by sandmining in the 1960s and for many years the site was overgrown, degraded and attracted anti-social behaviour.
"The project restored the ecological function of the wetlands, reinstated the natural landscape and honoured cultural heritage," Mr Holloway said.
"The project was co-designed with Arakwal and supported by Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and Crown Lands,.
"The wetlands are also designed to reduce the impact of flooding in the Byron Bay town centre.
"On behalf of Council I thank the National Trust (NSW) for this prestigious award and for recognising the immense worth of the Sandhills Wetlands restoration project," Mr Holloway said.
The restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands was funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, the NSW Government through the Public Spaces Legacy Program and Council.
