Bellingen Shire Council Cleans Up At Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards
Published on 11 November 2024
Photo: Cr. Andrew O’Keeffe, BSC sustainability Officer Lara Cumming, General Manager Mark Griffioen, Mayor Cr, Steve Allan, Maxine Compton Group Leader Community Partnerships & Group Leader Sustainable Environment and Waste Sam Tate
Bellingen Shire Council has earned six prestigious awards at the 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KAB NSW) Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards:
- WINNER (Population Category B): Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation for Council’s efforts towards achieving net zero emissions
- WINNER (Population Category B): Biodiversity Conservation for the Bellingen Island Restoration Project
- WINNER (Population Category B): Heritage and Culture for Bellingen Memorial Hall – A Grand Design
- WINNER (Population Category B): Circular Economy for the Bowerhouse Reuse Shop
- HIGHLY COMMENDED (Population Category B): Communications and Engagement for the Go Before You Go campaign
- POPULATION CATEGORY WINNER: Bellingen
Bellingen Shire Mayor, Cr Steve Allan, expressed his delight at the recognition; “Bellingen is a hub for those passionate about sustainability and environmental protection, and these awards are a reflection of Council’s ongoing commitment to our Community Vision of a Connected, Sustainable, and Creative future. We are proud of the progress we’ve made in reducing emissions, implementing circular economy principles in waste management, and working with local groups to protect our unique biodiversity and cultural heritage – all of which have been recognised in these awards.”
Council’s General Manager, Mark Griffioen, shared his thoughts; “These awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication of both Council and the community in working towards a more sustainable future. This year’s finalists demonstrated an impressive range of inspiring projects, so we are truly humbled to have been recognised with so many awards. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Parkes, the overall winner for NSW, and to all participants who are contributing to more sustainable regional communities.”
Photo: BSC sustainability Officer Lara Cumming accepts award on behalf of Council at the Bathurst tidy town Awards. Photo Credit: I Love Wednesdays.
Council’s Sustainability Officer, Lara Cumming, represented Bellingen Shire at the awards weekend, hosted by 2023 winner Bathurst. The weekend featured a Welcome to Country ceremony, case study presentations, networking opportunities, a historical tour of Bathurst, and the awards dinner. Lara was proud to showcase some of the innovative sustainability initiatives underway in Bellingen Shire.
The Tidy Towns program has been running since 1981, celebrating and recognising projects that reduce litter, minimise waste, encourage recycling, protect heritage, culture, biodiversity, and waterways, and foster community spirit and environmental responsibility.
Val Southam, CEO of KAB NSW, noted; “The Tidy Towns Awards inspire communities and councils across NSW to make a genuine and lasting contribution to their area through partnerships between local authorities, businesses, community groups, schools, and individuals. The commitment of the councils, organisations and individuals who entered is evident in the calibre of the entries received this year and I would like to congratulate this year's winners and finalists and everyone that entered.”