Council takes home top gong at waste innovation awards

Acting Manager Resources and Sustainability Emma Thomson celebrates Scenic Rim Regional Council’s win at the 2023 Waste and Innovation Recycling Awards

Scenic Rim Regional Council’s Disaster Waste Management Project was a winner at the national 2023 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards in Melbourne this week.

Council’s plan, which was developed in conjunction with Talis Consultants and aims to reduce the impact of natural disasters on the community, won the Outstanding Waste and Resource Recovery Project Award: Regional/Rural.

The project included the development of a Waste Services Resilience Road Map which is believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said he was immensely proud that Council won an award which celebrated innovative and forward-thinking waste providers.

“Winning this award demonstrates that Scenic Rim Regional Council is an organisation that is determined to drive societal change and deliver best-practice waste and recycling solutions for the region,” he said.

“It also recognises the Disaster Waste Management Plan as a benchmark document that can be utilised by others in the waste and recycling industry to develop similar strategies to manage waste generated from declared disasters practically, safely, efficiently and sustainably.”

Mayor Christensen acknowledged the Australian Government’s support of the Disaster Waste Management Plan and the Waste Services Resilience Road Map through its Preparing Australian Communities Program - Local Stream.

“Congratulations to everyone who was involved in developing the Disaster Waste Management Project, especially our hardworking staff,” he said.

“They are now recognised as leaders in the waste and recycling industry, which is extremely well-deserved.”