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Esperance picks up regional Tidy Town title

Friday, 23 October 2009

Esperance has claimed the title of South Coast Regional Winner for the 2009 Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities Award at a regional awards ceremony held in Narrogin today.

Keep Australia Beautiful WA Tidy Towns State Program Manager Gail Dodd said the judges had been particularly impressed by the town’s general appearance and recycling initiatives.

“Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities is about much more than keeping towns clean and tidy. The awards reward and recognise towns for their achievements towards sustainability including preserving their culture, protecting their environment and the amenity of their towns,” she said.

In addition to taking out the award for the South Coast regions overall winner, Esperance won three category achievements awards: Community Action, Recycling and Waste Management and Enhancing Cultural Identity.

Initiatives that contributed to Esperance’s success included the establishment of a new museum, renovation of the Bijou Theatre, battery and fluorescent bulb recycling programs, tree planting and the establishment of native gardens at the civic centre and Shire offices.

South Coast category winners:

• Community Action: Esperance
• General Appearance: Denmark
• Recycling and Waste Management: Esperance
• Natural Heritage Conservation: Denmark
• Enhancing Cultural Identity: Esperance
• Water Conservation: Denmark

Mrs Dodd said Esperance 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 South Coast region and I congratulate Esperance, 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 Coast region included representatives from the Department of Environment and Conservation, business leaders with an interest in environmentally sustainable projects and Glenys Anderson, OAM (former Chief Executive Officer of Keep Australia Beautiful, Queensland).

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

For more information about Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities visit our Sustainable Cities program page, or contact Gail Dodd on 6467 5131.

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