The Andrews Labor Government is celebrating Victorians’ outstanding achievements in sustainability, announcing the finalists for the twentieth Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney congratulated Warrnambool Community Garden Inc for being named as one of the 41 finalists, spanning businesses, industry, community groups, universities, schools and government organisations.
Celebrating 20 years in 2022, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards shine a spotlight on our sustainability leaders and changemakers.
Warrnambool Community Garden have been announced as finalists in the Sustainable places and destinations – Community Champion category for their project to redevelop Warrnambool’s last sandstone quarry, closed in 1962, into a beautiful, sustainable, grassed amphitheatre for everybody’s use and a bush gully walk. The group received funding from the Victorian Government’s ’Pick My Project’ in 2018 for the project which allowed a large amount of work to be fast-tracked.
Some of the other innovative finalists this year include a project that uses fungi to transform organic waste, a mobile e-waste recycling factory, and a local school planting 2500 trees on their grounds.
Finalists have been selected across six categories which include Future Energy, Thriving Environment, Sustainable Places and Destinations, Circular Economy Innovation, Healthy and fair society and Waste and litter reduction.
A Community Champion and Industry Leader will be crowned in each award category, with winners announced at a prestigious event in September.
Two overall winners will be chosen from this year’s finalists to receive the Premier’s Recognition Award and Premier’s Regional Recognition Award, which acknowledge entries that showcase exemplary innovation in sustainability and demonstrate notable benefits for metropolitan and regional Victoria.
This year’s awards are presented in collaboration with Banksia Foundation and Keep Australia Beautiful (Vic).
For profiles of this year’s finalists and more information on the Awards, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/psa
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“I am thrilled that Warrnambool Community Garden has been named as a finalist in this year’s Premier’s Sustainability Awards for their inspiring project.
“They should be immensely proud of this achievement and their inspiring work, which is helping to create a more sustainable future for all Victorians.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio
“I congratulate all the finalists who are working towards a more sustainable Victoria – you are demonstrating the vision and innovation that makes our state the nation-leader in cutting waste and driving down emissions.”