SYDNEY - As Australia struggles to conserve water, reduce waste and find new ways to become sustainable, a seaside Melbourne suburb has been rewarded for leading the way.
The City of Frankston, 40km south-east of the CBD, was named the national winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful title at the Australian Sustainable Cities Awards in Sydney last night.
The awards recognise efforts by residents, community groups, businesses and government agencies to protect and enhance their local environment to ensure long-term sustainability.
Frankston was awarded the title thanks to its commitment and investment in a wide range of environmental sustainability initiatives, such as its Frankston 2025 project, and its support for local community projects.
"Frankston has a long term vision when planning for a sustainable future," said Australian Sustainable Cities judge Sean Rooney, who is also director of the CSIRO Sustainable Communities Initiative.
"Its Frankston 2025 project in particular is the driving force for social, environmental and economic sustainability. Following extensive community consultation, it now guides council's activities and decisions."
He said the council had set targets and undertaken projects to reduce water usage by 45 per cent over the next 10 years.
It had also prioritised the diversion of waste from landfill, with initiatives such as the "If you don't eat it, your garden will - Halve Garbage Waste!" program showing particular success.
Weekly rubbish bin collections were now reduced to fortnightly for the 1,000 participating homes, Mr Rooney said.
Bruce Billson, shadow minister for sustainable and development cities attended the awards and congratulated Frankston for its commitment.
"At a time when climate change, water conservation and waste reduction issues provide many challenges to local councils and communities, these awards help recognise and promote best practice case studies that can assist other urban communities to become more sustainable," he said.
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