Top class Smart State Innovations feature in EPA Environment Awards

A number of world-first water, energy, and greenhouse gas saving initiatives and projects including fibre optic lighting technology and ground breaking sustainable building design feature in the second annual Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Sustainable Industries awards.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today announced 21 Queensland finalists who were selected from nearly 100 entries in seven categories that recognise Queensland business leaders, companies and technologies for setting best practice benchmarks in environmental performance.

Category winners will be announced at a dinner ceremony held in partnership with the 8^th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development on Monday 21 May at the Hilton Hotel, Brisbane

Ms Nelson-Carr said the finalists showcased Queensland's champions of sustainability, both commercially and environmentally.

“The impressive quality of entries highlights the effort being made by many businesses to profit from innovation while doing the right thing by the environment,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

Managed by the EPA, the awards focus on eco-efficient, sustainable practices adopted by industry and businesses throughout Queensland.

The finalists include:

Leighton Contractors for the Green Square project in Brisbane which includes the South Tower, the first commercial building in Queensland to be awarded a 5-star Green Star rating.

Boral Resources for developing ‘green’ concrete which ensures that most water used at the company’s concrete plants is recycled.

Bovis Lend Lease for the Gallery of Modern Art, State Library redevelopment, in Brisbane, and associated works which utilise natural ventilation and natural light and uses a river cooling system to support low energy air cooling.

Rio Tinto Aluminium who in 2006 purchased landholders tree-clearing permits to ensure that trees were not removed from farmland. This action saved the equivalent of 13,000ha of native vegetation.

Sala Homes for house designs to maximise solar benefits and cross ventilation with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimal site disturbance.

Department of Public Works for a partnership with local government and the housing industry to design and build 30 sustainable homes to showcase sustainable, environmental, social and economic benefits

Investa Property Group for ensuring that all buildings they develop or manage are energy and water efficient.

The full list of finalists are:

Corporate Sustainability Award
Investa Property Group, Brisbane
Good Guys, Capalaba
Boral Resources, Petrie, near Brisbane, and other south-east Queensland sites

Industrial Eco-Efficiency Award
Mariott Hotel Surfers Paradise
IKEA, Logan
Sun Fresh Linen, Ipswich

Rural Sustainability Award
Mackay Canegrowers
South East Queensland Fish, Beenleigh
Golden Circle, Virginia, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast

Minister’s Award for ClimateSmart Leadership
Sala Homes, Greenbank, Brisbane
Anglo Coal Australia/Energy Developments, Bowen Basin, north-west of Rockhampton
Rio Tinto Aluminium

Sustainability in Urban Development or the Built Environment Award
Mirvac, Orion Springfield, near Ipswich
Bovis Lend Lease, Brisbane
Leighton Contractors, Brisbane

Sustainability in Public Sector or Community Initiatives Award
City of Thuringowa
Redland Shire Council
Department of Public Works

Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Award
EcoNova Pty Ltd, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast
Sigma Energy Solutions Pty Ltd, Murrarie, Brisbane
Poly Optics Pty Ltd, Burleigh

Media contact: Karla Steen on 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti on 3336 8002