Finalists for the 2014 Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards

Twenty-seven finalists have been announced for the Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2014. Now in their 12th year, the awards recognise and reward leadership in sustainability and celebrate the contribution businesses, institutions, communities and individuals make to a more liveable and sustainable Victoria.

Finalists have been selected in nine categories: Cleaner Yarra and Bay (a new category), Community, Education, Environmental Protection, Infrastructure and Buildings, Innovative Products or Services, Large Business, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Tourism.

“This year, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards has announced 27 finalists - the highest number in the awards’ history,” said Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan. “We are delighted to celebrate and share their remarkable stories of sustainability.”

One such finalist is Southern Rural Water, in partnership with government and community stakeholders, for its program to protect the health of the Gippsland Lakes. Nominated in the Environmental Protection category, the Macalister Nutrient Reduction Program is a series of initiatives undertaken by farmers, local agencies and government which has achieved outcomes including water savings of 29,000 million litres per annum and nutrient reductions of over 100 tonnes per annum.

In the Tourism category, Conservation Volunteers Australia has been recognised for its Naturewise Eco Escapes ‘voluntourism’ program. Together with Parks Victoria, the organisation developed tour packages offering participants the opportunity to work alongside environmental experts and park rangers to assist key conservation projects, whilst exploring some of Victoria’s most spectacular natural areas. 

Building company Burbank was meanwhile nominated in the Infrastructure and Buildings category for the Target Zero Waste to Landfill project, building what is believed to be Victoria’s first zero-waste home in Melton South. Through construction of the home, Burbank was able to slash housing construction waste sent to landfill by 99%, surpassing the original target of 80%.

In addition to the nine category awards, the Hon Denis Napthine MP, the Premier of Victoria, will personally select two overall winners: the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award and the Premier’s Recognition Award.

Winners will be announced at the gala awards night, to be held on 2 October at Peninsula, Docklands. To purchase tickets to the event, and view the full list of finalists, visit http://sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au/.