8 SEPTEMBER 2023
SHOALHAVEN City Council took out top honours for its resilience and dedication to climate action 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.
Shoalhaven City Council took home the Battler Award, new in 2023, that seeks to acknowledge regional or rural councils delivering tangible results on climate projects, despite roadblocks.
Following back-to-back devastating climate fuelled bushfires, storms and floods, Shoalhaven City Council launched its Recovery into Resilience project to ensure its community is better prepared and more resilient for future disasters.
The project has spearheaded initiatives including installing renewable energy and storage batteries at 25 halls and facilities across the Shoalhaven, adopting best practice energy efficiency measures and leading a joint agreement with neighbouring councils to purchase renewable energy.
The Mayor of Shoalhaven, Amanda Findley, said that Council and the community were proud to be recognised for their action on climate change at this year’s Climate Awards.
“As a regional community, we continue to be challenged by the climate in the form of bushfires, floods and severe storms,” she said.
“These awards recognise that we are always battling hard and working innovatively to improve our resilience to these climate impacts and to ensure we are better prepared for the next event.”
Cities Power Partnership director, Dr Portia Odell congratulated Shoalhaven City Council, noting that the winning entry was a shining example of resilience in a competitive field of entrants.
“We recognise that some councils are facing extreme challenges that impact the ability to take action on climate. We want to celebrate councils, like Shoalhaven, that are overcoming roadblocks to deliver tangible results and set their community up for a better future,” Dr Odell said.
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
