Launceston scores Keep Australia Beautiful award

Published on 17 December 2024

Keep Australia Beautiful Tasmania has announced the City of Launceston as the overall winner of the KABTas 2024 Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards.

Running since 1978, these awards recognise the outstanding contribution made by towns/cities and communities towards sustainability and the environment.

In addition to the overall trophy, Launceston took out the award for Waste Prevention and Reduction, was the winner of the Litter Award for the Spring Clean Rocherlea project, was joint winner of the Behaviour Change Award for its Reminder to be Kinder project, received a Highly Commended under Environment & Sustainability and won the Population Category for population over 5,000.

The awards were presented on 21st November at an event hosted by the Brighton Council and 2023 winning town, Bridgewater.

KABTas State judge, Lona Turvey, said “Launceston was a standout this year and has delivered an outstanding range of projects and programs across all awards categories. The City of Launceston has demonstrated enormous achievements in all areas of sustainability, care for the environment, the health and wellbeing of the community and its staff, the preservation and education of cultural heritage and the wonderful amenities provided. I hope this award will continue to inspire them into the future and lead the way for others to follow.

Certificates of Excellence were also awarded to Launceston for a number of initiatives, notably the Repair Café, and its events program, including Harmony Week, Refugee Week, International Women’s Day and the various exhibitions and events hosted by QVMAG.

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said it was incredible honour to be recognized for so many of the Council's core environmental and social initiatives.

"This Council is committed to doing whatever we can to help ensure our beautiful region is protected now and into the future," Mayor Garwood said.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated staff who've worked so hard to make these projects what they are, and Keep Australia Beautiful for recognizing us in this way."

Awards and Certificates of Excellence were presented to a number of community and council projects from Richmond, Clarence, Sorell, Gagebrook/Herdsmans Cove, Geeveston, Miena, Bothwell and Buckland.

A Special Award under Heritage and Culture was presented to Richmond for its outstanding Bicentenary event which was four years in the planning and covered every aspect of the heritage, culture and diversity of Richmond. More than 30,000 people visited the town during the celebrations.The KABTAS Young Legends was awarded to Engage Youth Cove Creek, a motivated group of locals who are creating a “bump in” place for young people in Gagebrook.

The Local Hero went to Michael Casey from Brighton.

Each year KABTAS announces a Citizen of the Years to a person who has shown outstanding commitment to the environment over many years.

This year the Citizen of the Year was awarded posthumously to Mel Kelly, who has shown so much devotion, passion and contribution to conservation and the environment over many years.

Mel Kelly sadly passed away earlier this year but her legacy will live on.

The Sustainable Schools Awards were also celebrated at the Brighton event. Earlier in 2024, several Tasmanian schools received grants to fund sustainability projects which were generously supported by the Tasmanian Government and Hydro Tasmania.

Maree Bakker from the Department of Natural Resources & Environment Tasmania, representing the state government, reported on the program.

Geoff Marsh, Chief Executive Officer of Keep Australia Beautiful Tasmania, commended all the award winners and successful schools as well as this year's overall winner, Launceston.

“Every year the dedication and passion of the communities which enter the awards exceeds our expectations. We are fortunate to have such caring and committed people making this state such a wonderful place to live.” said Mr Marsh.

Launceston will go on to represent Tasmania at the national KAB awards which will be hosted by the 2024 national winner, Beechworth in Victoria.