Council wins statewide environment and sustainability award

Isaac Regional Council has won a major Statewide environment and sustainability award for its management of water, waste and wastewater.

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (Queensland) this week announced Isaac Regional Council as winner of its 2020 Award of Excellence for Environment & Sustainability.

Mayor Anne Baker said the award was recognition of the Council’s determination to strive for environmental sustainability and efficiency in its operations and services.

“I am proud of the Council staff who have implemented new procedures in dealing with water, waste and wastewater, and to receive this highly-prized Statewide award demonstrates their initiative and hard work have been acknowledged by their peers.”

Mayor Baker said Council made the decision in 2017 to develop and implement an Integrated Management System (IMS) to drive business performance, deliver continual improvement and maximise efficiency for essential services of water, wastewater and waste.

“Within three years, the Directorate achieved its vision and attained Integrated Management System certification to the global standards of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System and Australian Standards AS 4801:2001 OH&S Management System.

“This initiative has led to the enhanced long-term sustainability of the Water & Waste Directorate in delivering essential services, enabled the thinking of doing more with the same, whilst maintaining the highest safety, quality and environmental standards.

“The Isaac Region is home to more than 20,000 people across eight communities, spanning a geographic area approaching the size of Tasmania. Due to its size and dispersed population centres, Council faces many unique challenges in managing its essential services of water, wastewater and waste.

“The IMS saw a streamlined approach taken to doing business by reducing duplication of documentation, implementing systematic processes and ongoing monitoring of targets and objectives. This puts the Water and Waste Directorate at the forefront of delivering best practice outcomes.

“The IMS gives the Directorate a roadmap for improvement and efficiency and is helping drive a significant change in culture, processes and enhanced delivery of products and services to the community.

“It is wonderful to see this recognised with the top Statewide award in the field.”