Energy Saving and Climate Adaptation / Mitigation Award

Bronze Award Sponsored by Country Energy, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and Landcom

This award recognises outstanding initiatives undertaken in the last 12 months by a NSW local government council that have resulted in significant energy savings.

The award incorporates, but is not limited to:

• energy saving initiatives in managing for a sustainable built environment including sustainable urban design and transport.

• councils who have developed programs and policies to mitigate the impact of their operations on climate change and adapt to its consequences.

Waste Avoidance Award

Bronze Award Sponsored by NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water

This award recognises outstanding initiatives undertaken in the last 12 months by a NSW local government council that have resulted in significant waste avoidance. The winner of this award will be able to demonstrate - actual or forecast - the amount of waste avoided per year.

The award incorporates, but is not limited to:

• initiatives to effectively recover and manage recyclables and solid wastes (general wastes, garden organics, clean-up, parks gardens etc) generated and collected from householders and/or managed through Council facilities. This includes council's waste minimisation and management plans, education and training programs, and new infrastructure and technologies adopted to improve recycling and resource recovery for sustainable outcomes.

•  initiatives which address: zero waste, hazardous waste, extended producer responsibility etc.

Community Sharps Management Award

Bronze Award Sponsored by NSW Health

An award for councils who, in the last 12 months, have put in place ongoing and/or trial collection systems and community education programs (including programs in partnership with State agencies, pharmacies, community groups and other stakeholders) for community sharps waste generated in households and public places.

Water Conservation Award

Bronze Award Sponsored by Landcom

This award recognises outstanding initiatives undertaken in the last 12 months by a NSW local government council that have resulted in significant water savings. The winner of this award will be able to demonstrate - actual or forecast - the amount of water saved per year.

The award incorporates, but is not limited to:

• water conservation initiatives in managing for a sustainable built environment

This award recognises councils who, in the last 12 months, have developed, implemented (or are in the process of implementing) or expanded sustainable purchasing and procurement policies and processes for goods and services which address any or all of the following

• Save energy and/or protect the climate.
• Conserve water
• Conserve energy
• Enhance biodiversity
• Reduce waste

Natural Environment Policies, Planning and Decision Making  Award

Bronze Award Sponsored by Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA)

This award recognises outstanding initiatives undertaken in the last 12 months by a NSW local government council to bring about an improvement in environmental / natural resources quality through relevant strategic planning, policies and decision-making processes.

The award incorporates, but is not limited to:

·         Programs to integrate Natural Resource Management (NRM) principles into land-use planning and/or management planning processes. This may include the consideration of NRM priorities in strategic planning and how NRM manifests in land-use and management plans. Evidence of the implementation of these plans to meet NRM outcomes is expected.

·         Programs that develop resources, tools and/or support materials to assist councils make high quality decisions while managing the natural resources of their local environment.

·         programs to regulate and enforce environmental protection and improvement

Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement: On-Ground Works Award

Bronze Award Sponsored by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

This award recognises outstanding "on-ground" initiatives undertaken in the last 12 months by a NSW local government council to conserve, protect, and enhance their local environment on public and/or private land in urban and/or rural areas.

The award incorporates, but is not limited to:

• projects that protect, conserve, and enhance natural environments, ecosystems and wildlife habitat, rehabilitating and restoring degraded areas, and the improvement of wetlands management

•  community involvement in environmental management, including Bushcare and similar programs

•  protection of endangered and protected species and their habitats

• waterway and riparian corridor restoration and rehabilitation projects and stormwater improvement programs in an urban environment that have improved the health and amenity of the waterway

• projects which reduce pollution, reduce the impacts of pollution, and/or remediate land

Communication,  Education and Empowerment Award

Bronze Award Sponsored by "Our environment - it's a living thing" program

This award recognises outstanding initiatives undertaken in the last 12 months by a NSW local government council that have informed the community and increased peoples' capacity to be active participants in moving society towards sustainability. Initiatives could form a component of a broader sustainability strategy, or focus on specific environmental issues.

The award incorporates, but is not limited to:

• environmental education programs, resources, and activities for schools, community groups or industry/business.

• initiatives which address: community consultation - committees, processes, etc.

Weed Management Award

Sponsored by NSW Department of Industry and Investment

An award to recognise innovative and effective initiatives and programs to manage Noxious and Environmental weeds in NSW. Includes eradication programs, education/awareness raising programs, capacity building and training programs, applied research programs, development of strategies, and biological and alternative weed control methods.

Open to all councils, county councils and local control authorities in NSW.

Local Sustainability Award

Silver Award Sponsored by Country Energy, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), Maddocks and Local Government Superannuation Scheme (LGSS) 

This prestigious award recognises outstanding achievement by a NSW local government council in the last 12 months to implement Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) and strive for a sustainable future for their local community. The commitment to local sustainability demonstrated by councils entering this category makes entry in at least 3 bronze categories a pre-requisite in the current or previous years (note: prior years may be included).

The award incorporates, but is not limited to:

• Whole-of-council Environmental Management Systems, Environmental Management Plans, and/or other projects which demonstrate a whole-of-council commitment to sustainability principles.

• Initiatives in managing for a sustainable environment including the incorporation of ESD principles into planning policies and development projects and policies demonstrating sustainability principles, and the use of quantitative "footprint" calculators to assess progress towards Sustainability. 

Louise Petchell Memorial Award for Individual Sustainability

Award Sponsored by LGSA

An award for individual achievement up to and including 2009-2010 by a council officer or elected councillor, in recognition of their contribution to the cause of environmental improvement and sustainability