The winners of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2020 were today announced by The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. The online ceremony celebrated the businesses, government and community groups leading sustainable innovation and practices in Victoria.
This year, the Awards received a record number of entries, with Sustainability Victoria CEO, Claire Ferres Miles, commending the quality of regional and metropolitan submissions.
“The calibre, diversity and volume of submissions this year demonstrate that Victorians are actively working individually and collectively to achieve a more sustainable Victoria,” Ms Ferres Miles said.
“From an entire town engaging in energy self-sufficiency to the integration of technology into sustainability programs, this year we received inspiring submissions that will deliver enduring climate change action.”
“The Awards are a testament to the commitment of Victorians to transition to a climate resilient, circular economy, and an inspiration and blueprint for others to do the same.”
The 2020 list of winners include a regional town producing their own energy, a fully reusable music festival, a large-scale diversion of hospital curtains from landfill, and Australia’s first ever washing plant for construction waste.
Premier Daniel Andrews personally selected the winners of the two overall awards. The Premier’s Recognition Award was awarded to Yarra Riverkeeper Association and Cleanwater Group for their efforts in mitigating the negative impacts of litter and polystyrene pollution in the Yarra river. The Premier’s Regional Recognition Award was awarded to Totally Renewable Yackandandah for their installation of a virtual power plant.
To view the ceremony and profiles of all the finalists and winners, visit the Premier's Sustainability Awards website.
Winners of the Premier's Sustainability Awards 2020
Premier's Recognition Award
Yarra Riverkeeper Association and Cleanwater Group
Litter and Polystyrene Pollution in the Yarra
Premier's Regional Recognition Award
Totally Renewable Yackandandah
Yackandandah Virtual Power Plant
Built Environment Category
Frasers Property Australia
Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
Community Category
Totally Renewable Yackandandah
Yackandandah Virtual Power Plant
Education Category
Deakin University – Blue Carbon Lab
#BlueCarbonArmy: Education by immersive wetland citizen science
Environmental Protection Category
Yarra Riverkeeper Association and Cleanwater Group
Litter and Polystyrene Pollution in the Yarra
Environmental Volunteering Category
Volunteers of Bellarine Catchment Network and Volunteers of the Queenscliff Music Festival
QMF's War on Waste
Government Category
City West Water
Stormwater Harvesting for a Greener West
Health Category
Bendigo Health
Reducing Waste to Landfill via Recycling Curtains
Innovative Products or Services Category
Repurpose It
Australian-first Washing Plant
Large Business Category
Alex Fraser
Laverton's Sustainable Supply Hub
Small and Medium Enterprises Category
Repurpose It
Australian-first Washing Plant