Council programs nominated for environment awards

The work of Council’s Natural Areas team has been recognised as finalists in the Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards.

The Koalatown campaign has been nominated for the Communication, Education and Empowerment category while Council’s work to eradicate the Amazon Frogbit invasive weed from the Georges River has been nominated in the Invasive Species Management category.

Koalatown is a campaign that encourages residents to take ownership of the protection of local koalas by reducing threats such as dog attacks, vehicle strikes and habitat loss through responsible behaviour. The campaign also increases awareness among the next generation of Campbelltown kids through school education programs.

Since May last year, Council has been working to clear Amazon Frogbit from the Georges River. The infestation was the first time the aquatic weed had been found in open waters in NSW and had the potential to cause significant damage to local biodiversity.

“We know that our residents value our environment and the amazing biodiversity that we have here in Campbelltown which is why we are so proud to have been recognised with a nomination in the LG NSW awards,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

“The first few months of our Koalatown initiative have successfully raised awareness among our community of some of the threats facing our beloved local koalas. We’ve been in local schools and held a number of planting days to get students on board with the Koalatown message,” Cr Brticevic said.

“The Georges River is one of our great natural assets and we were really proud of the efforts of our staff to contain and eradicate the Amazon Frogbit weed before it significantly infested the waterway,” he said.

The awards are expected to be announced online on Tuesday 13 October.