City scoops awards at Tidy Towns

Published on 15 March 2021

Broken Hill has taken out the top award in its population category at the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2020 Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards.

The city also scooped a host of other awards in its category thanks to the ongoing efforts of Landcare Broken Hill, 3rd Broken Hill Sea Scouts, and Lifeline via its tip shop and recycling centre.

The awards were held on Saturday night in the town of Murrundi in the Upper Hunter Region.

Deputy Mayor and Tidy Towns Committee Chair, Christine Adams, said the awards represented an outstanding result for Broken Hill.

"This is an exceptional outcome for Broken Hill and all the community groups that contributed," said Cr Adams.

"Tidy Towns isn't just an event for Council, it's about community groups being recognised for their hard work, and that's what we've seen at this year's awards."

Ms Adams said she still hopes to see Broken Hill win the overall category in the future.

Being named the overall winner would see the following year's Tidy Towns event held in the city.

"I was really hoping we'd be the overall winner, but we're up against some very big centres, we're already punching well above our weight," said Cr Adams.

"We'll all stick at it and hopefully next time we can be the overall winner and bring the Tidy Towns ceremony to Broken Hill."

Broken Hill and community groups received the following awards:

Environmental Communication Award -Population Category D winner - Greening the Hill Mk2 - The Call to Action - Landcare Broken Hill

“Greening the Hill Mk2 – A Role for Everyone” is a program of 15 on-the-ground projects available to the community designed to give them hope. In the face of ongoing extreme drought, that has impacted the Broken Hill community environmentally, socially and economically, A Role for Everyone will ‘make a difference’ by physically improving the environment.

Young Legend’s Environment Award – Population Category D highly commended - Broken Hill Scouts Clean up their Act - 3rd Broken Hill Sea Scouts

Broken Hill’s local Scout Group consists of 40 young people who are Environmental Warriors always looking for ways to improve the environment.

Over the last 12 months, the children drove various projects to improve their local community and environment by enlisting the assistance of the Scout leaders to engage family members, other and the wider community.

Circular Economy Award - Population Category D winner – Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast Tip Shop

Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast operates recycling and repurposing stores staffed by volunteers to fund its Suicide Prevention services. With the aim to recycle, repurpose and salvage as much as possible to reduce landfill – providing the community with affordable household items and building materials to purchase – all the money raised through the stores supports the service to help save lives.

Waste Less, Recycle More Award - population category D winner - Lifeline Tip Shop Recycling Centre, Lifeline Country to Coast from Broken Hill

Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast provides a recycling and repurposing service for the community of Broken Hill to fund its Suicide Prevention services through a number of retail stores which are mostly staffed by volunteers. The aim during sorting is to recycle, repurpose and salvage as much as possible to reduce landfill.

Community Spirit and Inclusion Award - Population Category D winner - Greening the Hill Mk2 - A Role for Everyone. Showing Australia how it can be done, Landcare Broken Hill

“Greening the Hill Mk2 – A Role for Everyone” makes a difference by physically improving the environment. By becoming involved, the community gain an appreciation of sustainable environmental management, empowering them and galvanising them into tangible action.

Overall Population Category D Winner - Broken Hill

Like many communities and towns in NSW, Broken Hill has been badly affected by the drought, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to these, Broken Hill was experiencing serious and unique threats to its viability caused by climate change, a decline in mining activity, isolation and a decline in population. The City Council resolved to address these threats and embarked on a plan to strengthening the City’s resilience.