Council has gained momentum in sustainability in the past year, including initiatives in waste diversion, water infrastructure, solar energy and active transport.
These areas have been highlighted as part of the recently released Year in Review Report, which looks at the progress Council has made against its Environmental Sustainability Strategy.
Water and Sustainability Councillor Donna Kirkland said it is fantastic to see the work that has been happening across the region to create a more sustainable future.
“I’m very proud to share Council’s achievements, recognise our ongoing commitment to environment and sustainability as well as highlight continuous improvement within our operations,” Cr Kirkland said.
“We installed additional solar systems at Council sites and we have been tackling challenges such as water security and the transition towards zero waste.
“We’ve also seen Rockhampton Region Waste and Recycling introduce a suite of new initiatives to divert waste away from landfill, including polystyrene recycling, the roll out of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) trial as well as arrangements for diverting end-of-life solar panels.
“An important part of creating a brighter future for our region is more options for active transport, and the Walking & Cycling Strategy that was introduced in the last year maps out our vision for a more walkable region.
“Beyond this, the water and sewerage infrastructure projects that are underway will not only mean we can provide critical services to sustainably support a growing population, they will also mean improved services and better environmental outcomes.
“Of course, we’re strongest when we’re working together as a whole community toward our future. In the last year we’ve been focusing on building partnerships with government, industry, key local groups, as well as supporting businesses to make more sustainable choices.
“Through the Plastic Free CQ program, sponsored partly by Council, we’ve seen 68 local businesses eliminate more than 300,000 items of single use plastic, which is a fantastic achievement.
“In recognition of work we’ve been doing, our region won two national environmental sustainability awards in the 21/22 financial year as part of the Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Awards.
“These are just some of the areas where we’ve gained momentum over the last year and there is more to come.
