The Redlands has added two more significant awards to its environmental credentials.
The City was today unveiled as the winner of Keep Queensland Beautiful’s 2013 Environmental Innovation and Protection and Young Legends awards.
The honours are part of Keep Queensland Beautiful’s annual Sustainable Cities judging.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the awards were due recognition of Council’s environmental management and the excellence of its educational programs.
“The Environmental Innovation and Protection Award recognises our work on wildlife surveys and community awareness and education through the Redlands’ IndigiScapes Centre,’’ Cr Williams said.
“It is no coincidence that the Redlands also won this award last year, as we place high importance on enhancing our natural environment and ensuring the Redlands is the best place to live, work and do business.
“The Young Legends Award was for creating environmental and sustainability leadership among young people through our great schools, the IndigiScapes’ kids club, and the valuable educational work of the RedWaste Unit and Redland Library’s Young People Services.’’
Environment, Waterways and Foreshores spokesman Cr Paul Gleeson (Division 9) said the awards added to an impressive collection of recent environmental achievements.
“Redland City Council has hit its corporate greenhouse gas emissions target almost seven years ahead of schedule, resulting in significant environmental benefits and cost savings to ratepayers,’’ Cr Gleeson said.
“We also won the Sustainable Development category in this year’s prestigious Healthy Waterways Awards, while achieving a significant improvement on the Redland’s annual Health Waterways Report Card.
“And we are helping to improve our urban environment by becoming the first in Queensland council to use the new VandalTrak system, which allows residents to use a smart phone app to report graffiti.’’
Brisbane was named Queensland’s most sustainable city for 2013 and will represent the state in the national judging.
The awards recognise projects and activities that improve the sustainability of the state’s largest cities.
Keep Queensland Beautiful CEO Rick Burnett, said the judges looked for entries which featured projects that were innovative, original, engaging and incorporated a whole-of-council approach.
“We would like to see more ideas being generated in Queensland that could be adapted all over the world,” Mr Burnett said.
For more information on Council’s environmental programs, go to www.redland.qld.gov.au.
