Ipswich City Council has won an award for excellence in overall environmental management at the 2008 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards in Melbourne.
Ipswich received the top award in the local government category with a submission titled, ‘City of Solutions: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally’.
City Mayor Paul Pisasale said it was tremendous for Ipswich to again be recognised as a city that places the environment and its residents first.
"This latest national award joins a growing list of global awards won by Ipswich," he said.
"Among this list Ipswich won the UN-backed LivCom Awards for the world’s most liveable mid-size city last year.
"Ipswich is also the only Australian city represented and a member of Partners for Liveable Communities in Washington.
"Making the finals of such a prestigious award speaks volumes of the strong partnerships developed between Ipswich City Council, the business community, many volunteers and residents.
"The development of a climate change response is one part of our contribution to reducing the city’s impact on climate change.
"Council joined the Cities for Climate Protection program in 2000 and in 2002 set the target of 20 per cent emissions reduction by the year 2010. We are on target to achieve this and Council is currently developing emissions reduction targets beyond 2010.
Environment and Conservation Committee chairperson councillor Cheryl Bromage said Ipswich City Council was particularly proud of its green credentials which won the category for, ‘overall environmental management – protecting, managing and restoring local environments’.
"We have promoted a development approach for Ipswich which maintains a sustainable and green perspective," Cr Bromage said.
"The focus is on how Council, as an organisation, is thinking globally with concern over climate change and acting locally with programs like Cherish the Environment and Enviroplan.
Bromage said Ipswich was focused on balanced and sustainable growth, in a time of unprecedented global, regional and local change.
"Residents in Ipswich can pride themselves on receiving this award.
"From the smallest Bushcare project, to the millions of dollars invested in waste water treatment plant upgrades, they have all contributed to putting Ipswich on the environmental map for the right reasons," Cr Bromage said.
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