Trim and tidy

TIDY towns and sustainable cities are being called to arms.
Entries are open for the 2013 Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Awards.
Member for Gembrook Brad Battin is encouraging locals to enter their community in this year’s Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards or Sustainable Cities Awards.
“The Keep Australia Beautiful Awards recognise the fantastic achievements of grassroots organisations in improving their local environment” Mr Battin said.
“If you think your community may be one of the tidiest in Victoria, I encourage you to submit a nomination.”
Communities can compete for awards in a diverse range of categories including clean beaches, waste reduction, heritage and culture preservation, energy saving, improving biodiversity and water conservation.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the awards were a great way to recognise Victorians taking practical action to improve their local environment.
“The awards recognise and celebrate everyday actions taken by Victorian communities to improve, maintain and sustain their local environments,” Mr Smith said.
“With such a variety of award categories, every community across the state has an opportunity to enter.”
A new litter prevention category has also been included in this year’s awards to recognise communities taking action to tackle litter.
“Tidy Towns is one of those great, iconic institutions that’s been warmly embraced by Victorians for more than three decades,” Mr Smith said.
“I’m sure this year’s competition will be just as fierce as it has been in the past and I encourage young people to apply, as the program rewards young achievers for their determination and leadership.”
Entries for the Sustainable Cities Awards close on 10 April and entries for the Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards close on 10 May.
The Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards is sponsored by the Do the Right Thing Program of the Packaging Stewardship Forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council.
For details or to enter the awards visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/kabv