8 SEPTEMBER 2023
GREATER BENDIGO CLIMATE COLLABORATION COUNCIL WINS NATIONAL CLIMATE AWARD
CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO took out top honours for spearheading the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration at the Cities Power Partnership Awards last night.
The Cities Power Partnership Awards recognise the work of climate heroes in local governments across the country who are transforming Australia’s energy landscape.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said she was delighted to see the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration win the award and congratulated everyone who has supported the Collaboration since its inception in 2022.
“The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration is made up of 12 partner organisations and was designed to bring businesses, community groups, households, and schools together for three years of climate change action to put Greater Bendigo on the path to zero emissions by 2030,” Cr Metcalf said.
“It’s fantastic that the Collaboration has been acknowledged through this year's awards. It’s well deserved recognition for all the groups, organisations, businesses and individuals involved in the collaboration who are working together to help our region reach zero emissions by 2030.”
The Collaboration Award goes to the council that best demonstrates how they are working together with their community or other councils for greater impact.
Cities Power Partnership director, Dr Portia Odell congratulated Bendigo, noting that the winning entry was a shining example of collaboration in a competitive field of entrants.
“Partnerships like these are showing the impact local governments have when it comes to collaborating to create effective local strategies, with their communities, that can lead to huge emissions reductions,” said Dr Odell.
“The local climate solutions on display at these awards are tangible proof that Australian communities are rising up to meet the challenges of climate change and play a critical role delivering climate solutions in Australia.”
The Cities Power Partnership Awards celebrated outstanding work from local governments in the fields including, renewable energy, energy efficiency, collaboration and innovation.
FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Energy Efficiency Achievement Award
Winner: Brimbank City Council, VIC - Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre
Highly commended: Merri-bek City Council, VIC - Solar Thermal Program
Climate Champion Award (council staff)
Winner: Logan City Council, QLD - Health, Environment and Waste Branch staff
Highly commended: Katie Biggs, Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s Sustainability Planning Officer, WA
Collaboration Award
Winner: Yarra City Council, VIC - Business Renewables Buying Group
Highly commended: City of Greater Bendigo, VIC - Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration
Innovation Award
Winner: ACT Government - Australian-first Household Electrification Digital Experience
Climate Ambassador Award (elected representative)
Winner: Tweed Shire Council, NSW - Mayor Chris Cherry
Battler Award
Winner: Shoalhaven City Council, NSW - Climate Resilient Shoalhaven: Battling bushfires, floods and storms
Renewable Energy Achievement Award
Winner: City of Mitcham, SA - Community Renewables Program
Community Choice Award
Winner: City of Mitcham, SA - Community Renewables Program
For more information contact Victoria on 0431 314 047 or victoria@climatecouncil.org.au
ENDS
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Cities Power Partnership awards recognise councils demonstrating climate mitigation action across the listed 38 action pledge items under the Cities Power Partnership. Each of the 8 categories were judged to ensure their respective criteria were met.
Judges
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Hollie Cheung Researcher, Climate Council
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Professor Josh Byrne Dean of Sustainable Futures, Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University
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Liz Owen Director, Jaragun Ecoservice
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Jerome Laxale MP Member for Bennelong & former City of Ryde Mayor