Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is encouraging businesses and government organisations active in environmental protection to enter the 2017 Premier's Sustainability Awards.
EPA sponsors the Environmental Protection award which acknowledges leadership and excellence by an organisation in the conservation and protection of the environment.
EPA Chief Executive Officer Nial Finegan said the award category recognises projects that have delivered positive outcomes for conserving and protecting the environmental quality or health of a local Victorian environment.
“The Environment Protection category helps us to tell the story of Victorians who are doing something new, positive or creative for our environment,” Mr Finegan said.
“Protecting Victoria’s environment is a shared responsibility and we want to acknowledge and support businesses who are leading the way in environmental citizenship.”
Last year’s winner of the Environmental Protection category was the Geelong Cemeteries Trust. Their site, known as the Moonah Memorial Walk at Queenscliff Cemetery, has been developed into a beautiful natural habitat for endangered woodland that offers unique burial and cremation memorials following extensive community consultation, botanical assessment and environmental planning.
Chief Executive Officer, Darryl Thomas said the walk is the first of its kind internationally and shows how cemeteries can protect the environment while also providing their local communities with unique memorial and burial options.
“Developing the Moonah Memorial Walk was a great challenge, but saving the endangered coastal woodland and offering the residents of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale with a treasured place was always our focus,” Mr Thomas said.
“We were honoured to be recognised for our work and encourage others who have taken steps to preserve or protect their local environment to enter the awards and share their success. A project doesn’t need to be a huge development, but needs to demonstrate how it’s provided a good outcome for the environment and the Victorian community.”
Entries are open for small to medium enterprises, large businesses and state and local government organisations and close at 5pm on Wednesday 21 June. Finalists will be announced in late August and invited to attend the awards event on Thursday 26 October.
Entrants have the opportunity to be profiled as a sustainability leader, enhance their reputation and share their achievements with the wider community.
EPA encourages prospective applicants to learn more about the selection criteria for the Environmental Protection award at an information session. To register your attendance, or for more information on the 2017 Premier's Sustainability Awards, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au.
More details on the Moonah Memorial Walk at Queenscliff Cemetery can also be found on Sustainability Victoria’s website.