Hervey Bay partnership wins top environment award

A thriving partnership between Wide Bay Water and Dhugamin Community Developments Employment Project (CDEP) has won the 2008 Environmental Protection Agency's Sustainability Partnerships Award, for outstanding performance in environmental best practice.

Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara congratulated the partnership on winning the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainability Partnerships Award, sponsored by Natural Solutions and Conics, at the Awards ceremony held on the Gold Coast.

"The awards highlight the importance of the Bligh Government's Toward Q2 vision of promoting a strong, smart and green Queensland," Mr McNamara said.

"They showcase business leaders, companies and technologies that have set new benchmarks in environmental performance.

"The awards recognise Queensland-based companies that are incorporating environmental sustainability into their everyday business operations.

"The Wide Bay Water ‘Eucoil’ initiative is a great example of good environmental practice leading to the creation of new and expanded business opportunities," he said.

The Sustainability Partnerships Award is awarded to an individual or business for a sustainability outcome achieved in partnership with either government or community groups.

Wide Bay Water has been rewarded for its new eucalyptus tree product, ‘Eucoil’ – a joint initiative with local Indigenous communities producing high quality essential oils.

The project utilises Wide Bay Water’s innovative wastewater reuse and the local Dhugamin people’s experience in community farming.

Wide Bay Water has donated 2.2 hectares of Corporation land to support the program, installing new drip irrigation systems that feed treated, re-used water to native eucalyptus trees. The program also uses scallop shell by-products, discarded by the fishing industry, to improve soil quality.

Mr McNamara said the Queensland Government is committed to helping Queensland business and industry develop ideas and technologies that reduce environmental impacts.

"This project also shows how modern business can benefit from traditional knowledge."

"The awards recognise Queensland-based companies that are incorporating environmental sustainability into their everyday business operations," he said.

"These companies recognise that sustainable practices can deliver enhanced profits and market advantages."

"The impressive quality of all the entrants highlighted the effort being made by many businesses to profit from innovation while doing the right thing by the environment."

Eight outstanding Queensland environmental business projects were named winners at the third annual Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards.

Mr McNamara said the eight winners were selected from more than 100 nominations, each showcasing Queensland business leaders, companies and technologies that were setting new benchmarks in environmental performance.

More information about the awards can be obtained at www.epa.qld.gov.au or through the EPA Communication and Events unit on 3225 1524.