Hawkesbury Council crowned state leaders in sustainability at 2024 NSW Banksia Awards
Hawkesbury City Council has been crowned as a leader in sustainability with a Large Business Sustainability Leadership Award at the 2024 NSW Banksia Awards presented in November.
The award, presented on 15 November, recognizes exceptional efforts in implementing sustainable practices. After the 2019/2020 bushfires and floods, the Council developed four key sustainability plans focused on Net Zero emissions, water efficiency, climate risk, urban greening, and environmental sustainability.
Hawkesbury City Council General Manager Elizabeth Richardson said adversity had fuelled the Council’s urgency to develop strategies for sustainability, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience.
“The old saying a land of drought and flooding rain has never proven to be more real than what our community has experienced from the devastating bushfire season in 2019/2020 through to the eight flood events we have experienced since,” she said.
“We rapidly transformed the culture of the organisation from one that lacks sustainability knowledge, skills and desire to one that has sustainability front and centre of all decision making, and amazingly all in under three years – it can be done. But we’re not finished yet.”
The Banksia Foundation shared that the Hawkesbury Council made a rapid transition unheard of in a local government organisation but has proven it can be done.
“Change was imminent. With a newly formed Executive team poised to initiate transformation, the Council swiftly embarked on developing its strategies for sustainability, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience,” the Banksia Foundation mentioned.
Plans are underway to expand into initiatives focused on sustainable food systems, resilient infrastructure, and circular economy practices. The Council’s work will ensure long-term resilience and prosperity for the community.
The Council’s win sees itself automatically entered into the Banksia National Sustainability Awards in April 2025.
Council also received a commendation at the Planning Institute of Australia Awards in the Climate Change and Resilience Category for our Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan the previous night.
The Plan focuses on adaptation and provides the Council with a list of short, medium and long-term measures to address the risks and impacts of climate change within the Hawkesbury Local Government Area.
The Banksia Foundation focuses on environmental sustainability and partners with the community, businesses, and the government to create awards, events, and programs that promote sustainable solutions.
