WATERWISE 'GREEN THUMBS' ARE WINNERS: PREMIER

Premier Peter Beattie today announced the winners of the Queensland Government Green Thumbs gardening competition.

“Entries came from across the South East and demonstrated a wealth of ideas and creative solutions to the water challenge,” Mr Beattie said.

“I commend the entrants for sharing their success stories – their creative problem solving will inspire others to garden with pride while conserving our most precious resource, water,” he said.

The competition was held in conjunction with the Queensland Water Commission and The Courier-Mail to recognise South-East Queensland gardeners who use drought resistant and Australian natives and other water saving features.

Kay Kelly, from Ocean View near Dayboro, won the $5,000 single dwelling garden award.

“Ms Kelly's modern garden is not supplied with town, dam or bore water,” Mr Beattie said.

“All Ms Kelly's home and garden water is supplied entirely by rainfall and waterwise products,” he said. “This shows that even in this time of severe drought, gardens can be maintained with good planning and smart thinking.”

In awarding Ms Kelly the prize the judges noted the garden was an outstanding example of what can be achieved with commitment, planning and an investment in the right equipment and plants.

The $3000 common group garden award went to the Jacobs Well Environmental Education Centre which provides environmental education and training to schools and community groups.

The judges noted the centre's use of a sensory garden and bush tucker trail to help educate Queensland children to be the next generation of waterwise gardeners. They said the centre used innovative and interactive learning areas, with native plants and environment-friendly features such as composting toilets, greywater irrigation and worm farms.

Yvonne Hanifin, from Oxenford, won the $1000 small space garden award with the judges noting the small garden was an oasis in the suburbs and exhibited meticulous care and commitment to changing the garden's composition to save water.

Also recognised in the competition were recipients of the Premier's special prizes. They will receive a commemorative silver trowel and a certificate.

Mr Beattie said he was delighted to announce Gavin and Debra Ottway, from Regents Park, would receive the Premier's Smart Garden Special Award for Creativity.

“The Ottways have shown a strong commitment to saving water such as installing rainwater tanks and diverting greywater to another homemade tank to pump onto their garden in the evenings,” Mr Beattie said.

“The judges said this garden displayed the sort of creative flair that will underpin the future of gardening in Queensland because Gavin and Debra have made the effort to rethink their garden's design to save water. This includes finding the right waterwise plants for their area and finding ways to capture, store and use alternative water sustainably.”

Mr Beattie said he was presenting the Premier's Smart Garden Special Award for Senior's to the winner of the small space garden award, Oxenford's Yvonne Hanifin.

“The judges found Mrs Hanifin's entry stood out as a very worthy winner of this special prize because she is also taking an active role in the community and leading by example, and I applaud that.”

While no entries were submitted in the under 25s Special Award category, the judges recommended the Premier consider an incentive prize to encourage an aspiring gardener.

“I am delighted today to announce Danielle Widdup will receive the Special Incentive Prize which includes a certificate and a reference book to encourage this Cashmere resident to continue gardening the waterwise way,” he said.

Water Minister Craig Wallace said the competition was an opportunity to recognise green thumb gardeners and learn about their water-saving initiatives.

“I congratulate the winners who are in the forefront of a new, more water-efficient style of gardening in Queensland,” he said. “Theirs is the way of the future.”

Mr Wallace said gardeners who wanted to do more with less water should take advantage of Beattie Government rebates on devices such as water tanks and grey water systems and water-efficient plants and garden products.

See www.water.qld.gov.au

Media Contacts: Premier's Office – 3224 4500

Minister's Office – Paul Childs 0407 131 654,

Caroline Kaurila 0414 213 954