Main Navigation

Collie picks up regional Tidy Town title

Thursday, 05 November 2009

The community of Collie, winner of the national Tidy Towns award in 2006, has claimed the title of South West Regional Winner for the 2009 Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities Award at the regional awards ceremony held in Collie today.

Keep Australia Beautiful WA Tidy Towns State Program Manager Gail Dodd said the judges had been particularly impressed by the community effort across a range of projects, including keeping the town litter-free, planting trees, and conserving cultural and natural heritage.

The community of Collie, winner of the national Tidy Towns award in 2006, has claimed the title of South West Regional Winner for the 2009 Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities Award at the regional awards ceremony held in Collie today.

Keep Australia Beautiful WA Tidy Towns State Program Manager Gail Dodd said the judges had been particularly impressed by the community effort across a range of projects, including keeping the town litter-free, planting trees, and conserving cultural and natural heritage.

"Collie won the regional title due to their consistent results across all categories judged. It is estimated that more than 1000 volunteers were involved contributing some 14,658 hours - this is outstanding given that the town has a population of only 8600," she said. 
"Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities is about much more than keeping towns clean and tidy. The awards recognise towns for their achievements towards sustainability including preserving their culture, protecting their environment and the amenity of their towns."

South West category winners were:

• Community Action: Busselton
• General Appearance: Walpole
• Recycling and Waste Management: Waroona
• Natural Heritage Conservation: Greenbushes
• Enhancing Cultural Identity: Yarloop
• Water Conservation: Walpole

Mrs Dodd said Collie now would compete with other regional winners for the overall WA Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities' title to be announced at the State awards ceremony on 20 November at the Royal Perth Yacht Club. All regional category winners are in the running for a State category award.

"We were really impressed with the entries in the South West region and I congratulate Collie, the category winners and all entrants and wish them all the best in their ongoing efforts to build vibrant and sustainable communities," she said.

The Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities judges for the South West region included representatives from the Department of Environment and Conservation, business leaders with an interest in environmentally sustainable projects and active community members.

Keep Australia Beautiful Council in Western Australia is supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities is sponsored by the Packaging Stewardship Forum and Grundfos. Golden West Network (GWN) is a media partner.

Find out more information about Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities or contact Gail Dodd on 6467 5131.

Registrations for the 2010 Tidy Towns' program are now open.