2006 AWARD FINALISTS Within Australia there are many initiatives and projects that are taking place that are making a difference today and more importantly ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.   The Banksia Environmental Foundation, through our Award Programs, aims to raise the profile of the current environmental issues facing Australia and recognise those whose initiatives are an encouragement and an example for others to follow. What Banksia provides for our winners and finalists is the public recognition and acknowledgement for their achievements that can then be taken back to their community, organisation or industry and utilised to motivate and assist in providing the extra impetus for further progress, much needed funding, public support and furthering the process of increasing environmental awareness to the rest of Australia.

The following entries are the finalists for the 2006 Banksia Environmental Awards Prorgam

Winners were announced on the 22nd July 2006.  For more information click here

Awards History:
2005 - 1989 to 2004

Scroll down this page to view the finalists of the Banksia Foundation Environmental Awards 2006.

Please select from a category below to see the finalists

Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year Award

Category 1 Built Environment

Category 2 Climate

Category 3 Eco Innovation

Category 4 Land and Biodiversity

Category 5 Sustainability

Category 6 Water

Category 7 Minerals

Category 8 Community

Category 9 Education

Category 10 Local Government

Category 11 Media

Awarded for outstanding achievement in the built environment: by incorporating sustainable development principles and practices; in buildings, development infrastructure, services, technologies and products.

Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme

NSW Department of Energy Utilities and Sustainability - NSW

The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme (ABGR) scheme allows building owners and tenants to measure, compare and improve their greenhouse gas emissions using a simple and intuitive five star rating scheme.  ABGR measures the greenhouse (and energy) efficiency of a building relative to its peers.  The benchmark is presented as an intuitive rating on a scale of one to five stars, with one star the lowest efficiency and five stars the highest.  ABGR is widely used by industry to report performance, and measure improvements.  Developed with considerable input from the commercial property sector, the ABGR scheme has led to industry ownership of the program and acted as a catalyst for change in building design and management practices.  Over 25% of commercial office building floorspace in Australia is currently rated for greenhouse gas emissions.

C-Air Hillarys

Investa Property Group - WA

C-Air Hillarys is an estate located in an established ocean side suburb of Perth and consists of 87 small to medium sized lots.

A specifically designed sustainability assessment system was incorporated into the design guidelines and a rating system of Bronze, Silver and Gold encourages construction of environmentally conscious homes.

The parkland is watered by an onsite bore via sub-surface irrigation and is planted with drought resistant species.  An innovative drainage system manages stormwater on site and drains under the parkland to recharge the aquifer.  Innovative multiple level homes with internal retaining caters for the large slope across the development rather then external mass retaining. The impressive central parkland and streetscaping, together with stringent building design guidelines and unique multi-level lots, combine to provide a high quality sustainable estate.

Green Building, Green Journey - 36/37 Squadron Headquarters RAAF Richmond

Department of Defence - ACT

In partnership with: Bovis Lend Lease, Bligh Voller Nield, Carson Group, Baulderstone Hornibrook

Defence core business is the Defence of Australia and its national interests. The Royal Australian Air Force supports this function through the Air Lift capability provided by 36 and 37 Squadrons and their C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.  The 36/37 Squadron Headquarters was built to provide 36 and 37 Squadrons with a combined headquarters building.  Constructed at RAAF Base Richmond, the Green Building Council of Australia Green Star rating system was adopted as the benchmark for achievement of sustainability objectives.  Including office areas, training facilities, storage spaces and personnel amenities, the project was selected as a lighthouse project to showcase and inform Defence’s wider adoption of green building policy.

Szencorp Takes Sustainable Buildings To The Next Level at 40 Albert Road
Szencorp - VIC
40 Albert Road is currently Australia’s greenest office building, setting the standards for sustainability in Australian commercial buildings.  Szencorp’s property sector sustainability expertise has joined with public and private partners to deliver an outstanding project.  High ambitions and attention to detail have resulted in best-practice achievements across water, energy, greenhouse, waste and materials.  Szencorp’s commitment to sharing its knowledge has created enormous interest and growth in its business activities and efforts as a sustainability advocate.  40 Albert Road leads the Australian market through renovation of a 20-year-old, low-performing building, setting an example for the vast majority of commercial properties.

Awarded for outstanding achievement in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapting to the impacts of climate change.
 
CarbonTender
Department of Sustainability & Environment Victoria - VIC
In partnership with: Department of Primary Industries, Catchment Management Authorities
CarbonTender is an innovative “market-like” mechanism, which facilitates investment in carbon sinks, while also providing other environmental services–like biodiversity–in a cost-effective manner.  Through CarbonTender, the Victorian Government created a formal market for carbon offset products by contracting landholders to establish carbon sinks, through revegetation projects on private land.  Over 3 years, $2.3 million was provided to create cost-effective, biologically diverse carbon sinks across the state. 
Rights to carbon credits were shared between the landholder and the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment.  The carbon and biodiversity benefits were then secured by long term registration of the contracts on the land title.  The CarbonTender program is unique to Australia, and is one of the most extensive trials of a market-based environmental service scheme. For more informaiton:http://www.greenhouse.vic.gov.au/carbontender.htm

CO₂ AUSTRALIA™ Carbon Sequestration Program
CO₂ AUSTRALIA Ltd - VIC
The Carbon Sequestration Program (the Program) involves the establishment of commercial scale, permanent Mallee eucalypt environmental plantings in partnership with individual farmers in the high priority revegetation agricultural regions of Australia, for the dominant purpose of generating carbon credits.  The Program, which is unique and is the Australian market leader in carbon sequestration, was the first carbon sequestration project globally, to gain accreditation under any mandatory greenhouse scheme via it’s accreditation under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme (NSW Scheme).   Achieving significant co-investment by corporate Australia which use the carbon credits produced to meet their mandatory or voluntary greenhouse targets, to date, CO2 AUSTRALIA has entered into long term contracts with Origin Energy, Country Energy and Eraring Energy in relation to the Program.  The Carbon Sequestration Program represents a ground breaking achievement and provides a significant mechanism by which private sector funding can be deployed to reduce greenhouse gases and enhance agricultural practices and natural resource management goals.

Counting Carbon - Forests NSW
Department of Primary Industries - Forests NSW
Forests NSW is the largest grower of planted forests in Australia with a plantation estate of about 300,000 ha.  Following the Kyoto Protocol’s recognition of the role of forestry in GHG abatement, Forests NSW began to market its plantation products and services as emissions offsets and thus needed to develop a credible tree carbon accounting system to underpin its marketing strategy.   Forests NSW carbon sequestration research and accounting efforts to date have:
• produced the most sophisticated and dependable carbon accounting system for forest sequestration projects in the world;
• led the development of Australian and International Standards;
• achieved the world’s first forest carbon trades through a registered trading scheme;
• sequestered 609,000 tonnes of CO2 pa in Forests NSW eligible plantations;
• attracted large scale private sector investment in new forests for carbon and timber, with 10,000 hectares of new plantations worth $30M established which on maturity will have sequestered over 1,000,000 tonnes of CO2.
• drawn domestic interest from prospective buyers of carbon credits thus providing a vehicle for expansion of the carbon trading market in Australia;
• enhanced the economics of plantation forestry and reforestation on a scale that can meaningfully impact on climate change.

National Green Power Accreditation Program
Department of Energy Utilities and Sustainability - NSW
More that 90% of Australia's electricity currently comes from fossil fuel fired power stations, with around 10% coming from renewable sources. Energy use in Australia accounts for around 68% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions making it by far the largest contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions .
Since its inception in 1997, sales of Green Power through the National Green Power Accreditation Program have reduced greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation by around 2.75 million tonnes.
The program aims to drive investment in renewable energy in Australia, increasing the sustainability of Australia's electricity supply. This involves raising awareness of, and ensuring consumer confidence in, accredited renewable energy products, and increasing their uptake.  There are now over ¼ million households and businesses voluntarily participating in the Green Power program delivering a 17% upside on the Australian Government’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. Winning Entry - Click here

Awarded for outstanding projects, practices and programs that result in: significant increases in the efficiency of energy and materials usage and /or significant  reduction in resource use, and/or significant reduction in waste generated, from a life-cycle perspective.

Green Living™ Collection By Sustainable Living Fabrics - World Leadership in Environmental Textiles
Sustainable Living Fabrics Pty Ltd - VIC
Sustainable Living Fabrics is the only company in the world to have all its fabrics certified to carry The Ecolabel.   Environmental innovation has been embraced by Sustainable Living Fabrics to provide an unequivocal “YES” when specifiers ask “Is it really green?”
The Good Environmental Choice Australia Ecolabel Licence rewards environmental excellence at all stages of production by third party audit to clearly defined criteria. The ranges are presented as the Green Living Collection with the achievement being replicated in 5 fabrics currently under audit.  They have exceeded the standard by identifying low pesticide leanwool with 72% less carbon dioxide equivalents attributed to it than generic wool and up to 12 times less toxic pesticides. By replacing generic wool with leanwool, it is estimated they are saving 3,000,000 CO2 equivalents each year.  In one giant leap, Sustainable Living Fabrics have moved from being a small, conservative player in the contract furnishing industry to a leader in environmental innovation.

Millmerran Power Project
InterGen (Australia) - QLD
In partnership with    Marubeni Corporation; Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.; GE Energy Financial Services; Energy Investors Funds (EIF)Group
The Millmerran Power Project is the first in Australia to adopt leading edge technologies such as supercritical boilers combined with air cooling, low NOx burners as well as the use of tertiary treated waste water from the Wetalla Sewerage Treatment Plant.   The $1.5 billion Project is an 840 Mw base-load coal fired power station, mine and water pipeline located near the township of Millmerran in south-west Queensland.  The eco-efficiencies championed by the Project have resulted a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 90% reduction in water use, a 50-70% reduction in NOx emissions and no water being sourced from surface or groundwater sources on site.  All of these leading edge efficiencies have significantly reduced the ecological footprint of the Project when compared to competitor projects.  The Project is among the most efficient power producers in Australia and plays a vital role in supplying reliable, low-cost electricity to customers in Queensland and beyond.  

The " Waterless Wok" Stove - Sydney Water's "Every Drop Counts" Business Program

Sydney Water Corporation - NSW
Since its inception in 2001, Sydney Water’s Every Drop Counts (EDC) Business Program have delivered 21 megalitres per day of water savings. This equates to 21 Olympic sized swimming pools.   An audit of an Asian-style restaurant undertaken in April 2003, as part of the EDC Business Program, highlighted that commercial wok stoves were intrinsically high water users. With 2,700 identified wok stoves in operation across Sydney, the EDC Business Program recognised that this represented a saving of 4,900 million litres per year, equating to 4,900 Olympic sized swimming pools.  This lead to the development of the unique “Waterless Wok” in 2005 which underwent extensive testing at the Emperor’s Table Restaurant, North Ryde RSL, demonstrating a reduction of average water consumption by 5,000 litres of water per wok per day.  The “Waterless Wok” represents a reduction of 90% on the existing design and potential savings of 4,900 million litres per year across Sydney’s restaurant sector.  Winning Entry - click here.

Womadelaide Zero Waste Program
Womadelaide Foundation Ltd - SA
In partnership with: Zero Waste SA; Grene City; SA Government; Flinders Bioremediation; Venue Clean
The unique world music festival, WOMADelaide, a world leader in green events, minimised the environmental impact of the festival through two unique programs:  Zero Waste and Carbon Neutral.  A rigorous monitoring program demonstrated the key to success in controlling the waste stream. Non-biodegradable material is not available anywhere on the festival’s site.   WOMADelaide worked closely with five partners, including; Green City – the Adelaide City Council and Government of South Australia, Zero Waste SA, Flinders Bioremediation, Venue Clean and Peats Soils.  Each partner provided a unique service which compliments the other and works towards zero waste.  Through our commitment to zero waste, WOMADelaide aimed to divert all waste from landfill. In only two years, over 65% of waste has been diverted from landfill, and nearly 10 tonnes of compost produced in the first year of operation. For more information: http://www.womadelaide.com.au/

Awarded for outstanding achievement in protecting and enhancing land systems, soil and biodiversity in Australia’s terrestrial environments: at the species or ecosystem level.

Back From The Brink:  Saving Victoria's Threatened Orchids
Department of Sustainability & Environment  -  VIC
In partnership with: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne; Australasian Native Orchid Society Victorian Group; Parks Victoria; Melbourne Zoo; University of Melbourne; Victoria University; RMIT University
The Victorian threatened orchid recovery project aimed to restore one of the world’s great temperate terrestrial orchid floras of which over one-half of the 380 are threatened.  The project covered 80 species of highly threatened orchids, has protected over 150 populations of 50 threatened orchid species, and has saved four critically endangered orchids from extinction.
The project is a partnership of the Department of Sustainability and Environment Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Australasian Native Orchid Society Victorian group, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Zoo, University of Melbourne, Victoria University and RMIT University, backed by a network of over 40 agencies and community groups across Victoria, interstate and overseas. 
“Saving Victoria’s Threatened Orchids” project is unique in Australia by virtue of the numbers of orchids under protection and organisations contributing to their conservation.  The success to date provides a solid foundation to continue the work to achieve protection for all of Victoria’s wild orchids.  Winning entry - click here

Evaluation of Management Effectiveness in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania - TAS
In partnership with: Resources Management & Conservation Division, Department Primary Industries Water & Environment
The State of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Report provides a structured, evidence-based evaluation of the effectiveness of management in achieving the objectives of management for this vast and globally significant reserve in southwest Tasmania.
The report develops and documents:
• measured evidence of management effectiveness against the objectives;
• stakeholders’ assessments and critical comment on management performance;
• proposed actions for enhancing management. 
The report has been acclaimed internationally as of immense significance to World Heritage management practice globally.  The report received the Australasian Evaluation Society’s 2005 Caulley-Tulloch Prize for best publication in evaluation.
With this report—and its underlying management evaluation system—Tasmania has set a new global benchmark for informed, effective, and transparent management of protected areas.

Greening Western Sydney Project
Greening Australia - NSW
In partnership with: Land Management Branch, NSW Department of Planning
The Greening Western Sydney project is a partnership between the NSW Department of Planning and Greening Australia to restore the publicly owned land on Sydney’s urban fringe. It aimed to increase the extent and improve the condition of Cumberland Plain Woodland (endangered in both state and federal legislation).  Several rigorous academic studies, having assessed the the project’s success in re-establishing the biodiversity and ecological processes provided expertise of restoration activities that have been documented in the regional best practice guidelines. The community, engaged at all levels of the restoration, made meaningful contributions through seed collection, plant propagation and revegetation along with environmental education activities undertaken in schools throughout the district and popular wildlife walks to increase the environmental awareness of the community  Since 1992, over 800,000 local provenance trees, shrubs and groundcovers have been established through mechanical planting, community tree planting events and direct seeding. 

Kuka Kanyini at Watarru - Caring For Country
Department for Environment and Heritage - SA

In partnership with: Watarru Community
Kuka Kanyini is a successful land management project at Watarru in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in the far north west of South Australia.  The project is addressing declining biodiversity by: mapping biodiversity data; restoring and protecting rockholes; harvesting and monitoring bush foods; removing feral camels; and the creation of a sanctuary for threatened or preferred plant and animal species.
Kuka Kanyini is unique because:
• There is a genuine partnership between the Traditional Owners and the Department for Environment and Heritage.
• It is setting new standards in its marrying of traditional and contemporary land management knowledge and scientific expertise. 
• It is also a vehicle for community development and the revitalising of relationships and traditional knowledge.
• It is creating employment, providing training and education and has the potential for significant health and wellbeing benefits.
• It has great potential to be replicated elsewhere in the Lands. For more information: http://www.awt.com.au/content/publications/ap_final.pdf

Reconnections - Reconnecting Communities for Conservation
Greening Australia (WA) Inc - WA
In partnership with: Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd
Greening Australia (WA) and Shell have teamed up for a ‘multiple outcome’ project, called Reconnections focussing on large scale re-establishment of bushland to create habitat links and reconnect isolated ‘islands’ of remnant vegetation.  The initiative works with landholders, including farmers and indigenous groups, to develop and trial new forms of ‘ecologically supportive’ agriculture.
Reconnections is using the combined skills of both organisations to reconstruct large tracts of native vegetation in areas strategic to Gondwana Link, an ambitious project involving Greening Australia and five other organisations in connecting vegetation and restoring habitat across the Western Australia’s south west.
Since 2004 Reconnections has
• established almost 400 hectares of native vegetation,
• trialled new technologies for direct seeding,
• developed a new carbon sequestration measurement program for native systems,
• constructed an indigenous Meeting Place for cultural and environmental exchanges.

Seeds For Life
Seeds For Life Partnership - QLD

Partnership: Environmental Protection Agency, Qld; Greening Australia Qld; Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research; The University of Qld; Griffith University; Brisbane Botanic Gardens; The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; The Millennium Seed Bank Project
Seeds for Life (SfL) is a joint venture between the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB), a project of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United Kingdom, and a number of Queensland research, non-government organisations and government bodies, collectively called the Q-Seed Partnership.  The purpose of the SfL joint venture is to improve the conservation of plant biodiversity through researching the restoration of species and ecosystems and establish long-term conservation collections of seed from priority species from Queensland.   Over a six year timeframe, the SfL project will collect at least 1 000 species as seed for storage at both the MSB and in Queensland, and conduct research into seed quality, storage, and restoration programs.

Awarded for outstanding achievements in minimising the environmental footprint of the company, institution, organisation, business or government instrumentality.

“Hope For The Future” - The Western Australian State Sustainability Strategy
WA Government - WA
 “Hope for the Future”: The Western Australian State Sustainability Strategy was the first comprehensive sustainability strategy developed by an Australian state or territory government – indeed it was the first in the world at state level.  Terence Jeyaretnam, the Chair of the Australian Environmental Engineering Society in a recent paper examining sustainability across Australia said: ‘The Western Australian Government has largely led the discussion on sustainability through the development of their state sustainability strategy’.
The 300 page Strategy covers 42 areas of government and has had continued strong support from the Premier and Cabinet. The WA Sustainability Roundtable recently found that out of the 336 recommendations 92% were either completed (11%), part of on-going operations (55%), or underway (26%). Each government agency must now do Sustainability Action Plans to show how they are reducing ecological footprint with some spectacular results. Perth’s transformative rail project is a key part of the Strategy.

Hydro Tasmania: Building a Sustainable Future
Hydro Tasmania - TAS
Hydro Tasmania is committed to sustainability. It views it as a proactive strategy that will enable the organisation to achieve long-term business success and meet community and stakeholder expectations through the transparent and balanced application of economic, environmental and social considerations.  Hydro Tasmania’s commitment is being realised through an internationally accredited Environment and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) that encourages a strategic and systematic approach to sustainability and environmental management, and provides a clear process for continual improvement in performance.   The Sustainability Policy is implemented broadly through the organisation’s general business management and annually, some $8.3 million is spent on environmental and sustainability management. Hydro Tasmania’s performance and activities are measured against the principles of sustainability and benchmarked against industry best practice, with 15 percent of employees directly involved in conducting the annual sustainability assessment.  Hydro Tasmania’s sustainability assessment and reporting was recognised by the Energy Supply Association of Australia awarding it the 2005 award for sustainability reporting.

Sustainability is Always in Style at Instyle Contract Textiles 

Instyle Contract Textiles Pty Ltd  - NSW
Instyle Contract Textiles Pty Ltd is a privately-owned company of approximately 47 people (worldwide) that specialises in the design, marketing and distribution of contract interior furnishing textiles – i.e. interior furnishing textiles used in commercial applications such as offices, healthcare, hospitality, transport etc.  INSTYLE designs and develops its own distinctive range of upholstery and screen textiles in its award winning Sydney Design Studio which are then produced by manufacturers located in Australia, New Zealand, Europe or U.S.A.    In 2002 at a national company conference INSTYLE began the journey to integrate sustainable  practices within the company.  Since then the company has made considerable efforts to reduce its overall ecological footprint. The company really does walk the talk and has implemented many initiatives from the design and development of an environmental textile collection, LIFE (Low Impact For the Environment) Textiles® to achieving an excellent rating for the office’s environmental performance - As measured using the University of New South Wales Green Office Rating Questionnaire

Visualising Our Environmental Footprint
Australian Arrow Pty Ltd - VIC
As a leading automotive components manufacturer, Australian Arrow Pty. Ltd. is relentless in its pursuit of the shrinking environmental footprint.  It has a fully integrated approach to managing its environmental impact, with the key element being the visualisation of its environmental footprint throughout the workplace.   Commitment to the environment is quite obvious to all visitors and employees who visit Australian Arrow’s Carrum Downs manufacturing facility in Melbourne.  The message is “loud and clear” -  from the initial environmental awareness signage at the driveway entrance and visitors’ parking bays, through to the foyer, the office areas, production and stores areas, culminating with the extensive “Green Wall” and “Recycling Supermarket” , which is used for environmental awareness, induction and training.  The Japanese philosophy of a well organised and VISUAL workplace has been a fundamental driver behind the level of environmental awareness at Australian Arrow, harnessed towards environmental management with great success, to create a uniquely environmental visual workplace. Winning Entry - click here

Awarded for outstanding achievement in protecting or enhancing Australia’s water resources including freshwater and marine environments.

Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme

Northern Gulf Resource Management Group - QLD
Ghost Nets are fishing nets that have been lost, discarded or simply abandoned at sea, drifting with the currents and tides for decades continuing to catch and kill fish and other marine wildlife.  The Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme is an alliance of indigenous rangers groups, non-government organisations and government agencies in northern Australian to stop the ghost nets in the Gulf of Carpentaria.   The programme helps to resource indigenous communities in both Qld and NT. to cleanup the large accumulation of nets on the coastal fringe of the Gulf.   During cleanups, rangers identify the likely origin of the nets by examining its size, shape and construction materials.  From information collected so far over 90% of these nets originate from SE Asian fisheries.  To date the rangers have removed 5,148 meters of net thus preventing them re-entering the ocean and continuing their killing spree.  Winning entry - click here

Coastal CRCs Wetland Science-Into-Policy Project
CRC for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management - QLD
Wetlands are vital elements of the marine-freshwater continuum but often are overlooked due to a lack of understanding of their value and important ecosystem services. This project used a dedicated and innovative process to combine cutting-edge scientific knowledge with input from policy and planning experts to package this information into conceptual models describing wetlands ecosystems and a web portal.  The project outputs are used in policy and planning processes relating to wetlands management by state and regional natural resource management organisations. The Intergovernmental Wetlands Taskforce (comprising state and Commonwealth organisations) have adopted the models and web portal and arranged for their ongoing development after the life of this project.  The greatest benefit of the project was overcoming one of the greatest barriers to the inclusion of scientific knowledge in planning and policy processes: uncertainty. The models represent current wetlands understanding agreed between scientists and stakeholders, providing greater certainty for decision-makers.

First International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 1)
IMPAC 1 Organising Committee - VIC
In partnership with: Parks Victoria, Great Barrier Reef Park Authority, World Conservation Union, World Commission on Protected Areas, Australian Department of Environment and Heritage, Australian Fisheries Management Authority
In 2002 Australia, as an acknowledged world leader in marine conservation, was approached to host an international congress specifically on marine protected areas (MPAs) with the endorsement of IUCN and WCPA.   An organising committee was established comprising representatives of Parks Victoria (which provided project management), Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority (which provided technical program coordination), Australian Department of Environment & Heritage and Australian Fisheries Management Authority, together with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) to plan and stage the congress (IMPAC1).   Significant sponsorship was generated including funding to assist delegates from developing countries attend
A successful high quality program resulted which utilised electronic submission and assessment techniques which allowed international review by a panel of experts.

Millmerran Power Project
InterGen (Australia) - QLD
In partnership with    Marubeni Corporation; Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.; GE Energy Financial Services; Energy Investors Funds (EIF)Group
Water conservation is one of the most important issues facing Australia and the world and the Millmerran Power Project,  located in S/W Queensland, is at the forefront of its industry in reducing its impact on water resources.  Leading edge environmental innovations to protect surface water and groundwater resources have resulted in the saving of approximately 15 ML per day along with:
• air cooling reducing water consumption by 90%;
• utilising recycled water supplied from Wetalla Sewage Treatment Plant for;
• no water taken from surface water or groundwater resources;
• all run off water retained and reused on site, via a system of drainage channels and dams; and
• fully enclosed conveyors over creeks reduced the risk of fugitive dust emissions and spillages into Back Creek.
The $1.5 billion Project is an 840 Mw base-load power is among the most efficient power producers in Australia playing a vital role in supplying reliable, low-cost electricity to customers in Queensland and beyond. Winning entry - click here

Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Education, Innovation and Sustainability
Townsville City Council - QLD
Townsville City Council Environmental Management Services (TCCEMS) in partnership with Council Engineers and the community has been exploring integrated, innovative and sustainable practices and partnerships of Total Water Cycle Management in the Coastal Dry Tropics from Creek to Coral. Townsville incorporates valuable ecosystems of Ramsar-listed freshwater wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Marine Park and World Heritage Area.   Our proximity to the GBR is a key driver to implementing innovative and future-thinking solutions to maintaining and enhancing the quality of our freshwater and marine environments through our Total Water Cycle Management Initiative (TWCMI). This is done through three key areas of operation: Engineering and Infrastructure, Community and Education and finally Partnerships and Knowledge Networks.  Integral to achieving successful protection and enhancement of our local freshwater and marine environments is our triple-bottom-line approach of Environmental, Social and Economic success in wetlands and waterways management and protection.  For more information: http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/awards.asp

Awarded to a company in the minerals industry that has demonstrated leadership, commitment and excellence in contributing to Australia’s sustainable future through the safety and health of its workforce and the communities in which it operates, and the effective integration of wealth creation, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Integration of Sustainability Into the Boyne Smelters' Capital Projects Management System

Boyne Smelters Limited - QLD
Integrating sustainable development into decision-making is one of the major sustainability challenges facing industries today.   Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) has developed the Project Environmental Effects Study (PEES) system to embed an understanding of potential impacts and sustainability considerations of employee health, environmental or community issues prior to design stages and well before any requests for capital funding and approvals are submitted.  Considerations for pre-feasibility planning on capital works often involves detailed technical and engineering studies, so rarely in the minerals industry in Australia have companies embraced the opportunity to make the most of the pre-feasibility environment to understand potential impacts of capital works on employee health, the environment or community considerations.BSL’s multi-disciplinary approach to capital project pre-feasibility allows for sustainable development considerations to be integrated into business decision-making structures, creating sustainable value from our resources and our relationships.

Sustainable Mining at Tiwest Cooljarloo
Tiwest  - WA
Tiwest has deployed significant resources to achieve excellent and continually improving environmental performance at Cooljarloo Mine. The sustainable management of clay slimes, the achievement of high quality rehabilitation on constructed landforms, and the management of water abstraction to protect ground-water dependent vegetation are all noteworthy.   Tiwest has forged strong partnerships with key stakeholders to secure enduring regional benefits including an 11 year partnership with the Billinue Aboriginal Corporation who provide local provenance seed for mine-site rehabilitation. Tiwest has also supported the CALM Western Shield fox baiting programme for the past 6 years enabling the release of locally extinct Woylies, Tammar Wallabies and Quenda into nearby Nambung National Park.   The Nightstalk Marsupial spotlighting programme with the Perth Zoo has engaged the local community and workforce in fauna conservation. Partnerships with local schools have provided environmental education to children and eliminated historical regional legacies such un-rehabilitated Shire borrow pits. Winning Entry - click here

Awarded for leadership, commitment & excellence in protecting & enhancing the Australian environment.

"From Little Things Big Things Grow"
Ravenswood Community Garden - TAS
The Ravenswood Community Garden (RCG) is a grass roots community development model that has for the past decade utilised a working garden as the vehicle to promote better choices for the environment and for individuals, social change, capacity building and community connections.   RCG started as a project within the successful Walk Tall Association in 1996 and has now 'grown' into a progressive, empowering simple model that strongly advocates the local community being the leaders in making positive and long term changes for the future of their community.   Our mission statement is "providing opportunities for people to grow and succeed" and our programs are designed to assist people reframe how they view success, to develop social and employability skills and to connect people with their communities, their environment leading to a self belief that each of us can make a difference.

Naragebup: Leading The Way
Naragebup Rockingham Regional Environment Centre (Inc) - WA
Naragebup continues to exemplify committed leadership and excellence in its dedication to protect the Australian Environment.

The heart and currency of Naragebup is its volunteers and more than 100 of them run Naragebup on a day to day basis.

A unique enterprise, Naragebup is a truly community owned, run and managed organisation which receives no core funding and yet manages to educate over 25,000 people a year about the environment.  Using a variety of methods; theory, hands-on activities, publications and practical demonstrations, a vast amount environment based knowledge covering a large number of subjects is absorbed by visitors.  Sheer passion and dedication ensures this Sustainability Icon, now in its 10th year of operation, will remain a leader, helping people to make wiser living choices and move toward a brighter future for themselves, their families and their community.   “What is a Vision?  It is a compelling image of an achievable future.”  Bob Goodale

The Tree Scheme - Community Based Environmental Initiative
Trees For Life - SA
Trees For Life was formed by a group of concerned volunteers in 1981, with the primary purpose of protecting South Australia's land from becoming even drier and more eroded through revegetation.  In order to persuade landowners to create more tree cover, the Tree Scheme provided seedlings to landholders at below cost.  Now in its 25th year, Trees For Life has developed programs in response to community demand and environmental need.  Trees For Life has over 10,000 members, of these over 6000 are involved in a volunteer capacity.  Some 1250 are volunteer growers, whereas others contribute through bushland management, seed collection, seed packaging, distribution of materials, mail outs and office work.   Community driver, non-political and not for profit, Trees For Life is the largest volunteer organisation of its type in Australia.  Each year over 1 million seedlings are grown, and to date over 27 million seedlings have been propagated.  Winning Entry - click here

West Coast Weed and Fire Strategy
West Coast Weed and Fire Management Group - TAS
The West Coast Weed and Fire Management Group (WCWFMG) has made significant contributions to the protection and enhancement of the Tasmanian environment through their continued efforts to implement the West Coast Weed and Fire Strategy (WCWFS).
Through consistent efforts over many years aimed at building effective, cooperative, partnerships, WCWFMG has become a respected, well-managed organisation with representatives from all levels of the community. It is also well funded, is implementing a dynamic suite of on-ground environmental projects throughout the municipality and has a long-term future.   WCWFMG is transforming the West Coast landscape, improving the amenity and experience of residents and visitors and returning degraded land to a productive state. Processes designed to promote participation and ownership of the strategy at all levels of the West Coast community will continue to be the cornerstone of success of WCWFMG

Awarded for outstanding achievement in the development and delivery of educational programs, that contribute to the protection, enhancement and sustainability of the Australian environment.

Flinders Christian Community College and South East Water kick goals in water recycling
South East Water - VIC
In partnership with: Flinders Christian Community College
Flinders Christian Community College partnered with South East Water to develop an innovative irrigation system where recycled water is pumped 1.5 kilometres from the South Eastern Outfall to the school’s campus in Carrum Downs and then supplemented with stormwater from the roof of the school buildings and used to irrigate the sports grounds.  The school has also integrated learnings into its education curriculum, with emphasis on sustainability along with a predictive digital weather station, linked to the Year 9 laptop program, incorporated into the school’s agricultural studies.  Funding for the project came from Flinders Christian Community College, South East Water and a grant from the Victorian Government’s  Stormwater and Urban Water Conservation Fund.   It is estimated that the school will cut its water use by 30 million litres each year and potentially by up to 50 million litres of water when extra sporting facilities are developed.

Great Gardens Community Environmental Education Program
Landcare Solutions - WA
In partnership with: Swan River Trust, Water Corporation, Nursery and Garden Industry Association WA
The WA Environment Award winning Great Gardens program is an innovative environmental education package achieving sustainable behaviour change to protect Perth’s major waterway the Swan and Canning river system.  Using community-based social marketing principles, the program began as a series of innovative community workshops providing practical river friendly environmental practices for individuals to create sustainable gardens. By working with local government, conservation groups and the gardening industry in WA, the program has now achieved significant organisational changes in sustainable landuse management and property development.
The program is supported by the Swan River Trust, the Water Corporation and the Nursery and Gardening Industry Association WA.
The success of the program has influenced the development of new technologies and increased environmental education opportunities in WA.  Since its launch in September 2003, by the Minister for the Environment WA, more than 10,000 people have participated in the program making it the largest and most successful project of its kind in the state.

Knowledge & Skills for Sustainability
Sustainability Victoria and NSW Department of Environment and Conservation  - VIC & NSW
The Knowledge and Skills for Sustainability project developed three core national vocational training sustainability standards where there were none. Sustainability Victoria and NSW Department of Environment and Conservation and their partners have provided a significant contribution to the VET sector and training for industry.   These new standards will equip the Australian workforce to better address the sustainability and environmental challenges facing industry and commerce today and into the future.  The Competencies have received national  endorsement and acceptance by the 10  Industry Skills councils.  It is estimated that more than 1.7 million students or about 13% of the working age population take part in vocational education and training every year.  This world first will leave an environmental legacy providing the knowledge and skills that will change the behaviour and capacity of business and industry to become sustainable.

Sustainable Landscapes: looking after the future - SA
Botanic Gardens of Adelaide: Department for Environment and Heritage
In partnership with: SA Water; Land Management Corporation; Delfin Lend Lease; Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board
The Sustainable Landscapes project is a collaborative partnership that educates and assists the South Australian community to adapt to a world in which we must use resources more efficiently, develop sustainability skills and employ best practice environmental principles in all that we do.  The project practically demonstrates and promotes appropriate park and garden design, plant species selections and sustainable horticultural practices for South Australian environments including effective, efficient and appropriate water use. It leads the direction of sustainable public and private landscapes in South Australia. This project integrates research, demonstration, communication and education. Seminars, forums, workshops, conference presentations, poster presentations, brochures, website, use of electronic and print media, and well-interpreted demonstration landscapes all contribute to the project’s education and communication activities.
The Sustainable Landscapes project is a true partnership, not only between its major funding partners, but also in its vigorous engagement with every sector of the community including business and industry, government, schools, universities and home gardeners.

The Food Forest - A Model for Sustainability
The Food Forest - SA
The Food Forest is a learning centre, home and farm demonstrating the practicalities of living sustainably.   Building an environmentally responsible home, recycling its waste, capturing rain water and renewable energy, growing and transforming organic food and caring for the environment are things we all need to do. The Food Forest shows Australians how they can do them through a unique education and public access program based on an urban farm.   It has been a beacon of truly sustainable development for 20 years, showing how passion for the environment can be married with viable business aims and education concepts.

Village Green's Sustainable Business Management Model 
Village Green Environmental Solutions - VIC
Village Green is a dynamic multi-disciplined consulting house, specialising in sustainable management and change systems for the small business and retail sectors.  The first research undertaken by Village Green in 2001 focused on the delivery of waste management services to Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), especially those in retail shopping strips.  This research determined the focus of Village Green - the development of a systematic process for conducting business with a quadruple bottom line outcome.  That is, taking into account economic, social, cultural and environmental concerns.  Village Green is now the leader in its field, educating SMEs to achieve positive environmental and economic outcomes, with a strong community focus along with reducing their environmental impact and associated business running costs. Winning Entry - click here

Awarded for outstanding achievement by a local government authority, in the development and implementation of environmentally sustainable initiatives.

80% Diversion is Fairfield City's Reality
Fairfield Council - NSW
In partnership with: NSW Environmental Solutions
Fairfield City Council has achieved remarkable environmental outcomes by initiating the processing of its domestic waste using innovative and world's best practice natural biological waste processing (UR-3R process) incorporating ESD principles.
The UR-3R uses cutting edge technology and is self-sufficient in energy and water, using liquid captured on-site and generating enough green energy to meet its own needs and feed the rest back into the power grid.  The results are remarkable, with a diversion of up to 80% of Fairfield City's domestic waste from landfill, quality compost made to AS 4454 standards from garden and kitchen wastes and huge reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.  In addition, recyclables inadvertently placed in the garbage are recovered and recycled.  This innovative solution provides Fairfield Council with the highest net value from its waste and secures long term sustainable waste processing.   80% Diversion is Fairfield City's Reality.

Blackwattle Bay Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program
City of Sydney - NSW
The Blackwattle Bay Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program is the most comprehensive of its kind to use triple bottom line principles in the design and implementation of stormwater pollution abatement measures at a Local Government level.  A strategy was developed which identified key issues, not-spots and opportunities for improved stormwater management within Blackwattle Bay based upon investigation of organisational, social and physical interations in the catchment.   The strategy, which sought agreement between internal and external stakeholders, led to the implementaiton of a multitude of measures working with the business sector, residents and Council staff to deliver an improved understanding and behaviour in regard to stormwater management in the catchment.  Major outcomes include application of water sensitive urban design principles, improved maintenance and cleansing operations, review of planning controls, education and training, business assessments, advocacy and partnerships.

Currie Sewage Treatment Wetlands
King Island Council - TAS

In partnership with: Syrinx Environmental P/L
This project demonstrates that tertiary sewage treatment using a relatively simple wetland system is an environmentally and economically sustainable solution for small communities throughout Australia.  While there was some initial community concern with the wetland location adjacent to the township of Currie and in view of nearby residences, a motel and restaurant, the project has demonstrated that by integrating a passive system with the surrounding natural environment, these systems can enhance rather than detract from the aesthetics of an area.  The Currie Sewage Treatment Wetlands, commissioned early this year, provide passive treatment of wastewater in a coastal dune setting.  It has provided an innovative and sustainable solution to the treatment of wastewater for this small residential community and represent a technique which could potentially be applied throughout Australia.  As well as contributing to the landscape aesthetic and habitat values of the environment they provide an opportunity to meet the requirements of authorities without the need to construct highly sophisticated and expensive systems  Winning Entry - click here

Randwick City Council's Sustaining Our City and City Plan Initiatives
Randwick City Council - NSW
Randwick City, located within the Sydney metropolitan area, has over the past 12 months undertaken substantial community consultation to prepare its 20-year City Plan that provides the framework to manage the diverse range of social, environmental and economic pressures and drivers facing Randwick Council over the next 20 years.  Randwick’s Sustaining our City initiative, funded through a 5-year environmental levy, provides dedicated funding for environmental improvements and sustainability initiatives across the City.
Some of the broader results include installation of an additional 100,000 litres of rainwater storage and 350,000 litres of wastewater storage for re-use across Council and a further 280,000 litres of wastewater treatment is underway.  Council’s current wastewater treatment system has saved 3.5 million litres of potable water since 2005.  Council has also distributed 55,000 energy efficient globes to residents, free-of-charge over a 3 month period, providing energy bill savings of $2.4 million and greenhouse gas savings equivalent to removing more than 5500 cars from our roads.

Sustainable Snow Sport: The Long Term Sustainable Growth of Hotham
Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board and Mt Hotham Skiing Co - VIC
Australia’s highest Alpine Resort, Hotham, operates “…. In a manner that is environmentally sustainable and economically viable for the social benefit of current and future generations.”  Hotham’s Sustainable Snow Sport achieves this by its:
1. Planning Scheme sustaining outstanding Alpine values;
2. reduced growth to sustain endangered species;
3. core business is sustainability, measured and reported;
4. sustainable skifield development;
5. Resort-wide Environmental Management Plan
6. sustainable waste management and recycling;
7. energy efficiencies;
8. exceeding native vegetation requirements, and ‘weed-free’ by 2012;
9. Stormwater Management Plan and Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines; and
10. innovative sewage recycling for snow-making.

**Please note that this particular entry was given special permission to enter under this category as it is the alternative to a Local Government authority in its locale.

Awarded for outstanding achievement in investigating and reporting on the protection, enhancement and sustainability of the Australian environment.

Climate Change: Icons Under Threat - Melissa Fyfe and Simon O'Dwyer, The Age Newspaper
Melissa Fyfe and Simon O'Dwyer - VIC
In partnership with: The Age Newspaper
Climate Change: Icons Under Threat was a ground-breaking five-part series featured in The Age on how climate change will threaten Australia's most treasured natural assets. The series which focussed on the Murray River, Kakadu, the Alps, the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland's wet tropical rainforests both made global warming's impact real and presented complex science in an accessible way. Winning entry - click here.

ECOS Magazine
CSIRO Publishing - VIC
ECOS, originally recognised for 30 years of excellence in environmental science reporting, is Australia's magazine on sustainability in the environment, industry and community, published bi-monthly by CSIRO both in print and online formats.  Its main objectives are to:
• Invigorate discussion on the environment and current issues relating to sustainable development;
• Explain the significance of environmental research and research aimed at sustainable development;
• Promote the cost benefit of environmental research and research aimed at sustainable development;
• Show how industry and the community can benefit from taking up innovation to better meet the growing demands for reduced environmental impacts; and
• Promote the excellence of research innovation and underscore the value of investment in Australian science.
ECOS, available in newsagents across Australia and New Zealand and via CSIRO Publishing’s website, brings general readers and decision makers informative, rewarding reading on key sustainability issues from across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

"More Than A River"
Highland Productions International Pty Ltd - VIC
In partnership with: Murray Darling Basin Commission
The watercourse we call The Murray has existed for 60 million years.  White settlers have utilised it, as a lifeline, for only 200 years, but now it’s on the brink.  In the show “More Than A River” host, Dermott Brereton, travels down the length of the River Murray, most of the Darling and through areas of the Murray-Darling Basin to talk with those who best tell the rivers’ story – from high country rangers to aboriginal elders and fishermen at Lake Alexandrina, conservationists and salinity experts in between and fruit and cotton growers as far north as Bourke and southern Queensland.  Some of the areas covered included the battle between the endangered Murray Cod and the European Carp; drought-affected pastoralists in outback Australia and the chronic salinity that causes a million tonnes of salt each year to wash along the Murray’s shores.  The show demonstrated how our demands for water are leading to degradation of the rivers, but, also, illustrates the success stories from irrigators who have learnt how to restore wetlands and maximise the most valuable resource in Australia today – water.

Awarded to any Australian individual, organisation or group, for a project, programme or other activity that has contributed to the protection and understanding of Australia’s significant natural, historic or Indigenous places or environments.

Dancing and the Devil Fire - Uncovering the Hidden History of the Alps
Cultural Heritage Steering Committee - VIC
In partnership with: Parks Victoria, DSE Vic; Aboriginal Affairs Vic; Traditional Owners - Gunai, Kurnai, Monero, Bidawal, Ngorgo, Taugurung, Duhdhuroa, Waveroo, Mungabareena & Jaithmathang; Legislative Aboriginal Communities - Bangerang Cultural Centre Co-operative, Mungabar
The Post Wild-fire Indigenous Cultural Heritage Program – Surveys and Site Protection 2004-05 was an audio-visual production project in the broader post alpine fire recovery program.  The Alpine area of Victoria is significant to all Australians for its unique landscape and heritage values but the extent of the connection to aboriginal communities was not well known or understood. The archaeological survey work uncovered thousands of artefacts and numerous sites and enabled indigenous communities to reconnect with the country and be involved in uncovering its hidden history.  This audio-visual production was adopted to capture cultural values and share these voices to wider audiences in a highly accessible format – DVD.  The story, based on parallel schemas of Indigenous knowledge and scientific evidence, rewrites the understanding of the Victorian Alps as a complex cultural landscape with very significant heritage values for contemporary Indigenous communities and all Australians.

Establishing a National Network of Places for Australia's Endangered Wildlife 
Australian Wildlife Conservancy - WA
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is an independent, non-profit organisation that has established a network of 14 wildlife sanctuaries around Australia, covering a remarkable 917,000 hectares.  AWC sanctuaries protect a diversity of habitats including rainforest, tropical savanna, desert woodlands and mangrove-lined lagoons.  These sanctuaries provide refuge for many of Australia’s most endangered species including Bilbies, Gouldian Finches, Northern Bettongs, Cassowaries, the Princess Parrot and the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby.  Overall, AWC sanctuaries protect:
• Over 250 ecosystems or vegetation types.
• Over 250 threatened species.
and
• AWC manages more feral predator-free land than anyone else on mainland Australia.
• AWC has conducted more than 30 translocations of threatened mammals. 
By raising significant donations from the private sector, and translating that philanthropic goodwill into on-ground conservation, AWC is helping define a new model for conservation in Australia – a model that promises new hope for our threatened wildlife. Winning Entry - click here

Kevin F Kenneally
Landscope Expeditions - WA
Since their inception in 1992, Kevin Kenneally has been the Scientific Coordinator of LANDSCOPE Expeditions, a programme offered by the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) in association with UWA Extension, a Centre for Continuing Education at The University of Western Australia.  Some 70 research expeditions involving over 900 volunteers have been successfully completed raising $1.7 million of community funding for scientific research in remote areas helping CALM achieve its mission in identifying areas of outstanding heritage value, as well as rare and threatened species and communities throughout Western Australia.  Paying volunteers, the private sector, a local university and the State conservation agency – all work in partnership to carry out much needed research to ensure a sustainable resource for future generations.  Kevin Kenneally believes LANDSCOPE Expeditions integrated approach to conservation research in Western Australia, combined with the strategic alliances it has formed with the community, is the way of the future.

Kuka Kanyini at Watarru - Caring For Country 
Department for Environment and Heritage - SA
In partnership with: Watarru Community
Kuka Kanyini is a successful land management project at Watarru in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in the far north west of South Australia.  The project is addressing declining biodiversity by: mapping biodiversity data; restoring and protecting rockholes; harvesting and monitoring bush foods; removing feral camels; and the creation of a sanctuary for threatened or preferred plant and animal species.
Kuka Kanyini is unique because:
• There is a genuine partnership between the Traditional Owners and the Department for Environment and Heritage.
• It is setting new standards in its marrying of traditional and contemporary land management knowledge and scientific expertise. 
• It is also a vehicle for community development and the revitalising of relationships and traditional knowledge.
• It is creating employment, providing training and education and has the potential for significant health and wellbeing benefits.
• It has great potential to be replicated elsewhere in the Lands.