Lake Macquarie City Council has won the big prize at this year’s Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards.

Lake Macquarie’s commitment to embedding sustainability across all of council and significantly reducing its ecological footprint was honoured at an event this week.

Speaking at the Excellence in the Environment Awards, President of Local Government NSW (LGNSW), Cr Keith Rhoades, congratulated the council on its deserving win.

“Over the past 12 months Lake Macquarie’s Sustainability is Core Business initiative, has helped them reduce their overall ecological footprint, including a 3.3 per cent reduction in residential electricity usage and delivered a 2,674 tonne per year decline in Council’s greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative also helped stop 150kg of waste per capita going to landfill,” Cr Rhoades said.

“Effectively engaging and educating the community has been key to Lake Macquarie City Council’s success, having reached over 13,000 households with their sustainability engagement programs.

“Their comprehensive Sustainable Living Guide is also a great educational resource which gives residents tips on how to save on electricity, reducing waste, recycling, sustainable food, transport, water efficiency and sustainable procurement.

Councillor Rhoades also paid tribute to the many other award-winners on their environmental efforts and innovative sustainability projects, which were as diverse as the councils that entered.

“The Louise Petchell Memorial Award, for individual achievement by a council officer or elected councillor went to Camden Council’s Team Leader of Sustainability, Bernadette Mackinnon.

“Bernadette has been working in local government for 16 years and has worked for Wyong, Botany, Holroyd and currently Camden.”

“Throughout her career she has achieved great success including developing Holroyd City Council’s first Sustainability Policy in 2002, as well as creating the Schools Sustainability Expo, now in its tenth year.

“Currently at Camden Council, Bernadette has ensured bush regeneration works in new subdivisions, commissioned an Environmental Management Plan and developed a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan.

“I would like to congratulate Bernadette and all the other deserving winners of these Awards.

“While there could only be one overall winner for each award category, divisional winners based on population were also recognised at today’s awards presentation, as well as those councils that received High Commendations,” said Cr Rhoades.

A full list of winners is accessible here.