It was judgment day for the City on Thursday when judge Cameron Little toured the region to visit key environmental projects and initiatives that earned the council the WA title in the category this year.
The City has improved its recycling and sustainability practices. It now recycles everything from green waste to timber, mattresses, e-waste, wet cell and dry cell batteries, tyres, oil, household hazardous waste, compact florescent light bulbs, and fluorescent tubes.
Its recyclable goods drop-off events have been well received by residents, with an estimated 1500 vehicles dropping off about 200 tonnes of recyclable material in the past financial year.
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READ NOWA green room recycling station was created in Ellenbrook last year that has collected about 350 tonnes of cardboard, 52,000 plastic bags, 341kg of batteries and 42kg of light globes, as well as bags of printer cartridges and mobiles phones.
It was Mr Little’s task to evaluate these initiatives against the national awards criteria, which include environmental innovation and protection, resource recovery and waste management, water conservation, energy innovation, community action and partnerships, litter prevention, and the protection of heritage and culture.
Other finalists are the City of Moreland (Victoria), Launceston (Tasmania), Canberra Indian Myna Action Group (ACT), Brisbane City Council (Queensland), City of Marion (SA) and City of Canada Bay (NSW).
Keep Australia Beautiful chief executive Peter McLean said each of the finalists had demonstrated significant outcomes in a range of projects.
The City of Swan was Mr Little’s last visit on his judging tour. The Sustainable Cities Award winner will be revealed at Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club on November 18.