Published Wednesday, 12 November, 2008 at 11:03 AM

Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten

GREEN-THUMBED LOCKHART RIVER TENANTS RECOGNISED

Green-thumbed community and social housing tenants in Lockhart River have been recognised today with the presentation of winners for the 2008 Department of Housing Garden Awards.

Housing Minister Robert Schwarten the winners were selected from 29 gardens entered by tenants in the region.

“The number and quality of this year’s entries presented a challenge to the judges in deciding the winners,” Mr Schwarten said.

“As well as water efficiency, the judges looked for gardens that reflected pride in a home or neighbourhood. A number of highly commended and special awards were also handed out.”

Mr Schwarten said the awards were a great success in highlighting tenants’ gardening talents and water-saving efforts.

“The Garden Awards recognise tenants who show pride in their gardens while reflecting and promoting water-wise principles such as using compost and mulch, and selecting plants that require little water and fertiliser,” he said.

“While not all parts of the State are suffering from drought, the theme of this year’s awards recognised that water is a precious resource for all Queenslanders.”

The department’s Garden Awards have been running successfully for the past 10 years.

“Over the years, the Garden Awards have provided tenants with an opportunity to showcase their gardens, while providing recognition of the important role tenants play in improving their local community,” Mr Schwarten said.

“This is a great example of tenants being involved in community life, which supports the Queensland Government’s aim to increase by 50% the number of Queenslanders involved in their community by the year 2020, a target of the Toward Q2 Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative.

All entrants in the awards will receive a certificate, a photo of their garden and a plant or voucher for garden products.

Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832

Editor's note: A list of winners is available by contacting Scott Chandler.