Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Sustainable Cities Awards Program Proudly Sponsored by Sydney Water

Submissions are now open for 2013!

To view more details about the program and submit an entry form and submission, please visit the Award Categories page.

What are the Sustainable Cities Awards and who benefits?

The Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Sustainable Cities Awards Program is a leading community and environmental awards program for metropolitan communities in NSW. Projects not only enhance the environment, but improve the standard of living and quality of life for urban communities. Greater than any other metropolitan based environmental program, Sustainable Cities inspires communities to make a genuine and lasting contribution to their area, working in partnership with local government, businesses, community groups, schools, and individuals.

The Sustainable Cities Awards Program incorporates two levels of awards, the overall sustainable council award and individual category awards. These two levels recognise both individual or holistic projects and programs. Participants have advised us of numerous social, environmental and economic benefits of entering into the program:

•  Increased community pride, morale, spirit; and physical, mental & social well-being;
•  Social interaction & co-operation between community members and councils;
•  Improved natural environment and restoration of wildlife habitats;
•  Strengthen current partnerships or initiate new ones between community members and groups, councils
    and businesses;
•  Potential for increased tourism and amenities for the local community;
•  Reduction of waste, graffiti prevention, and enhanced management of waste services;
•  Permanent recognition for winners and valuable feedback on award submissions;
•  Public awareness of environmental education issues;
•  Networking opportunities between industry, government, and environmental leaders and experts;
•  Introduction and/or recognition of sustainability initiatives;
•  Recognition of good governance in local government;
•  Opportunity to showcase and celebrate your innovative work, expertise, and vision of your organisation or project;
•  Increase valuable media exposure for your local area and community projects;
•  Positive reception from grant awarding bodies and leverage when seeking out financial support for future projects;
•  Learn about other sustainability projects within NSW and share ideas with key stakeholders;
•  Create excitement and motivate your staff by recognising their efforts in sustainability or other environmental
    initiatives and programs;
•  Continue to build on your reputation and community engagement policies through public commitment to the
    environment.

“Since 1994 the Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards have enhanced public understanding of the environmental issues affecting metropolitan NSW. The awards encourage Councils and communities to play an active role in creating a sustainable future for their cities. Projects that address environmental challenges and improve the standard of living and quality of life in urban areas are all encouraged to participate.”
Val Southam, Chair, Keep Australia Beautiful NSW

Overall Council Winner for 2012 - Penrith City Council

A place like no other, Penrith is our people, our stories, our lifestyle, our industry and our environment. Penrith has kept its identity and sense of place as it has grown, embracing and encouraging independence while valuing ties and partnerships, responsibility and new ideas. Penrith Council’s main objectives are to protect and restore our ecosystems while minimising our footprint, nurturing healthy cities, promoting cultural values, advancing economic and social security, empowering our residents and fostering participation, while governing with accountability and transparency.

“Penrith City Council has delivered outstanding reductions in waste, and through intelligent planning have improved infrastructure to support the increasing pressures placed on the local environment. The ‘Working Towards a Sustainable City’ plan has achieved much including composting 32,000 tonnes of food and garden organic waste over the past year, reducing waste to landfill by 5,500 tonnes, despite an increase in serviced households and prevented 430 tonnes of rubbish from reaching our waterways.”
David Imrie, CEO of KABNSW

Thank you to the 2013 Sustainable Cities Program Sponsors!

“Through the Sustainable Cities Program, we look forward to sharing our expert knowledge, experience and resources to empower people and groups to make our cities better places to live.”
Kevin Young, Managing Director, Sydney Water

                                       




         Thank you to the 2013 Sustainable Cities Launch Event Sponsors!