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World Environment Day Award

Enviro-day-award

Ipswich wins national award for environmental management

8 June 2008

AN award for excellence in overall environmental management was presented to Ipswich City Council at the 2008 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards held in Melbourne Friday 6 June 2008.

Ipswich received the top award in the local government category with a detailed submission titled, ‘City of Solutions: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally'.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said it was tremendous for Ipswich to again be recognised as a city that cares for the environment and its residents.

"This latest national award joins a growing list of global awards won by Ipswich," he said.

"Among this list Ipswich won the UN-backed LivCom Awards for the world's most liveable mid-size city last year.

"Ipswich is also the only Australian city represented and a member of Partners for Liveable Communities in Washington. This latest award has our city centre stage once again.

"Making the finals of such a prestigious award speaks volumes of the strong partnerships developed between Ipswich City Council, the business community, many volunteers and residents.

"The development of a climate change response is one part of our contribution to reducing the city's impact on climate change.

"Council joined the Cities for Climate Protection program in 2000 and in 2002 set the target of 20% emissions reduction by the year 2010. We are on target to achieve this and Council is currently developing emissions reduction targets beyond 2010.

"We have forged partnerships across all environmental areas in a bid to stop erosion into our creeks and rivers, improve the quality of our waterways, maintain our habitat for native animals and work with the community to ensure our rapidly growing city is built on a sustainable basis."

Cr Pisasale said the City had developed environmental solutions in cooperation with private landholders.

"We also have conservation agreements covering around 5,000 hectares," he said.

Environment and Conservation Committee chairperson councillor Cheryl Bromage said Ipswich City Council was particularly proud of its green credentials which won the category for, ‘overall environmental management - protecting, managing and restoring local environments'.

"We have promoted a development approach for Ipswich which maintains a sustainable and green perspective," Cr Bromage said.

"The focus is on how Council, as an organisation, is thinking globally with concern over climate change and acting locally with programs like Cherish the Environment and Enviroplan.

"The United Nations Association of Australia 2008 World Environment Day Award is recognition of community and Council commitment to local actions contributing to sustainability.

"Local actions such as a suburban resident proactively planting native plants in their backyards is on one example.

"Plants are supplied by Council, annually, free of charge to residents.

Cr Bromage said Ipswich was focused on balanced and sustainable growth, in a time of unprecedented global, regional and local change.

"Council and the community will benefit from the exposure of such an award, providing a platform to promote Ipswich as a progressive city strategically implementing emerging environmental programs.

"Additionally the award provides promotional opportunities for the wide cross section of environmental programs offered by Council.

"Residents in Ipswich can pride themselves on receiving this award.

"From the smallest Bushcare project, to the millions of dollars invested in waste water treatment plant upgrades, they have all contributed to putting Ipswich on the environmental map for the right reasons," Cr Bromage said.

Last Updated 16 Jun 2008 |

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