Environmental excellence in Western Australia was rewarded last night with the announcement that Green Skills had won the overall prize in the 2010 WA Environment Awards.
Presenting the awards at a gala ceremony in Perth last night, Environment Minister Donna Faragher said Green Skills’ commitment to improving and enhancing environmental care and sustainability since 1989 had seen it win the award from a pool of outstanding projects from throughout the State.
Mrs Faragher said the group’s diverse range of environmental sustainability and employment programs were an excellent example of community leadership.
An overall Highly Commended was also awarded to Woolworths Limited for its ambitious Zero Food Waste by 2015 program.
“Woolworths Limited has set itself the objective of diverting all food waste from landfill for beneficial use by 2015. This involves working with its suppliers, customers, national charity Foodbank, various government agencies, local charities, farmers and zoos in order to achieve this aim,” the Minister said.
Mrs Faragher said the WA Environment Awards highlighted the unwavering commitment to environmental care and biodiversity conservation of individuals, community groups, businesses, corporations and government agencies.
“By recognising these achievements and promoting the outstanding efforts of entrants, we can further encourage greater involvement in the wider community in achieving environmental goals,” she said.
Now in its ninth year, the awards showcase a wide range of environmental projects being undertaken throughout WA.
“The calibre of entrants this year was outstanding and the innovation and diversity of the projects was very impressive with more than 90 applications received across 11 categories,” the Minister said.
“All entrants are to be congratulated for their ongoing efforts in conserving and enhancing our environment.”
Mrs Faragher said the awards program was an excellent avenue to reward environmental excellence and one of a number that the State Government had in place to support community effort and involvement.
The 2010 WA Environment Awards are sponsored by Packaging Stewardship Forum, Publishers National Environment Bureau, Royalties for Regions, Office of Energy, Rheem, Western Power, the Waste Authority, Swan River Trust and Whiteman Park.
Category winners in the 2010 WA Environment Awards included:
Corporate Business Leading by Example
Woolworths Limited - Zero Food Waste by 2015
Government Leading By Example
Department of Health - Fiona Stanley Hospital Project
Small Business Leading by Example
Australian Native Nursery
Biodiversity Conservation
Care for Hedland Environmental Association - Hedland Community Flatback Turtle Monitoring Program
Bush, Land and Waterways
Helena River Catchment Group - Helena River Rehabilitation Project
Rivers, Estuaries and Wetlands
South Coast NRM - Saving Lake Warden and Lake Gore
Environmental Education and Communication
Australian Association for Environmental Education WA - Engaging the Community in Every Sense
Resource and Waste
South East Regional Energy Group - Switched on Business and Industry
Community Energy Efficiency
Western Australian Council of Social Services - Climate Change Readiness for Community Services
Community Achievement Metropolitan
Canning River Regional Park Volunteers Inc - 20 Years of work in CRRP
Community Achievement Regional
Green Skills - Green Skills Regional Program 1989 to 2010.
For further information visit http://www.dec.wa.gov.au or phone 6267 5000.
Minister's office - 9213 7250
