news, local-news, Tidy Town, Cessnock Council, Keep Australia Beautiful, Tidy Town NSW

Cessnock has been named the tidiest town in New South Wales for 2018. The auspicious honour was bestowed at the Keep Australia Beautiful 2018 Sustainable Communities Awards,’ held in Orange last week. If being named 2018 NSW Tidiest Town wasn’t enough, Cessnock picked up an additional six awards on the night. As part of the win, Cessnock also picked up the Heritage and Culture Award, won by Cessnock Regional Art Gallery; the Habitat and Wildlife Conservation Award received for the Cessnock Biodiversity Communications Engagement Strategy; the Sustainable Projects Award received for the Revolving Energy Fund Energy Efficiency Projects; and the Waste Less, Recycle More – Waste Minimisation Award, won by Cessnock Waste Management Centre and Transfer Station. The Wollombi Display Board also won in the community spirit and inclusion category. Mayor Bob Pynsent said the awards haul was a remarkable achievement. “Council staff and community groups work tirelessly for our community,” he said. “Their community spirit and pride is what makes our local government area so special. “A big congratulations and thank you to all involved in these projects. These initiatives are contributing to ensuring the future of our vibrant, sustainable and liveable city.” Tidy Town Assessor Doug MacDonald spent a day in Cessnock earlier in the year learning about the multiple sustainability and environmental initiatives by both community groups and Cessnock City Council. The itinerary saw a stop off at the Cessnock Men’s Shed, the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery and Cessnock City Council. Highlights of the visit included learning about the extensive community engagement with seniors, young people and the entire community. A presentation was also given on Council’s coordinated waste and recycling program and Council’s Biodiversity Communication Engagement Strategy. The Strategy centres on the unique biodiversity of the Cessnock area and explains how the community can help care for it. “Cessnock has engaged with the community at so many levels to make their region more liveable, attractive and sustainable.” Mr MacDonald said. Cessnock is now in the running for a national Tidy Town award which will be announced in March next year. As winner of this year’s award, the Cessnock LGA will be shown off the the state as the city will host the 2019 state awards. 

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/stephen.bisset/e4d63a88-d0c2-4649-8d96-245a334e330f.JPG/r0_300_5453_3381_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

Cessnock has been named the tidiest town in New South Wales