GREEN THUMBED TENANTS COMPETE IN WATER-WISE GARDEN AWARDS
Published Monday, 27 August, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Department of Housing tenants on the Sunshine Coast have been challenged to make the best use of water in their gardens during the 2007 Water-Wise Garden Awards.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said the awards were launched today at a ceremony at Mooloolaba.
Mr Schwarten said the awards were a great opportunity for all tenants living in social housing on the Sunshine Coast area to share their enjoyment of gardening and their pride in the environment in which they live.
He said that despite the torrential rain and flooding that hit the Sunshine Coast last week, the drought in South East Queensland has not broken, and the water-wise theme of this year’s awards recognised that water was a precious resource for all Queenslanders.
“This year the awards will focus on how gardens reflect and promote water-wise principles, including the use of compost and mulch and the selection of plants that require little water and fertiliser,” Mr Schwarten said.
Despite the ongoing drought conditions affecting many regions and the introduction of water restrictions, there were more than 1,600 entries received last year, 96 of these were from the Sunshine Coast.
“Tenants of community and local government-managed housing have also been invited to participate in the awards for the first time this year.”
Mr Schwarten said the awards had provided tenants with an opportunity to showcase their beautifully maintained gardens, while providing recognition of the important role tenants play in improving their local community for the past ten years.
“This year’s awards also continue to demonstrate the successful partnership between the Department of Housing and the Sunshine Coast Regional Tenant Group,” Mr Schwarten said.
There are categories to cover all types of tenant gardens including small space gardens, such as collections of plants on a balcony, and group gardens, for groups of people who look after gardens in common areas, such as those in a unit block.
Entry in the Awards is free and judging is based on effort and creativity rather than the size or cost of the garden.
“It doesn’t matter what size or type of garden you have, whether it’s a balcony, patio, flower or vegetable garden. It doesn’t have to be the biggest and most expensive to win an award,” Mr Schwarten said.
All entrants receive a certificate recognising their participation, a photo of their garden, a plant and/or voucher for gardening products and an invitation to their local Garden Awards presentation.
Sunshine Coast prize winners receive certificates and gifts specially selected by the Water-Wise Garden Awards organisers.
“The Garden Awards provide the opportunity to publicly recognise and reward tenants who care for and show pride in the properties they live in through gardening,” Mr Schwarten said.
“I encourage all tenants to enter and wish entrants every success in the Awards.”
For further information and entry forms, contact the Department of Housing office on the Sunshine Coast or visit the department’s website at www.housing.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said the awards were launched today at a ceremony at Mooloolaba.
Mr Schwarten said the awards were a great opportunity for all tenants living in social housing on the Sunshine Coast area to share their enjoyment of gardening and their pride in the environment in which they live.
He said that despite the torrential rain and flooding that hit the Sunshine Coast last week, the drought in South East Queensland has not broken, and the water-wise theme of this year’s awards recognised that water was a precious resource for all Queenslanders.
“This year the awards will focus on how gardens reflect and promote water-wise principles, including the use of compost and mulch and the selection of plants that require little water and fertiliser,” Mr Schwarten said.
Despite the ongoing drought conditions affecting many regions and the introduction of water restrictions, there were more than 1,600 entries received last year, 96 of these were from the Sunshine Coast.
“Tenants of community and local government-managed housing have also been invited to participate in the awards for the first time this year.”
Mr Schwarten said the awards had provided tenants with an opportunity to showcase their beautifully maintained gardens, while providing recognition of the important role tenants play in improving their local community for the past ten years.
“This year’s awards also continue to demonstrate the successful partnership between the Department of Housing and the Sunshine Coast Regional Tenant Group,” Mr Schwarten said.
There are categories to cover all types of tenant gardens including small space gardens, such as collections of plants on a balcony, and group gardens, for groups of people who look after gardens in common areas, such as those in a unit block.
Entry in the Awards is free and judging is based on effort and creativity rather than the size or cost of the garden.
“It doesn’t matter what size or type of garden you have, whether it’s a balcony, patio, flower or vegetable garden. It doesn’t have to be the biggest and most expensive to win an award,” Mr Schwarten said.
All entrants receive a certificate recognising their participation, a photo of their garden, a plant and/or voucher for gardening products and an invitation to their local Garden Awards presentation.
Sunshine Coast prize winners receive certificates and gifts specially selected by the Water-Wise Garden Awards organisers.
“The Garden Awards provide the opportunity to publicly recognise and reward tenants who care for and show pride in the properties they live in through gardening,” Mr Schwarten said.
“I encourage all tenants to enter and wish entrants every success in the Awards.”
For further information and entry forms, contact the Department of Housing office on the Sunshine Coast or visit the department’s website at www.housing.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832