newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council has won the sustainability category at the Business Hunter Awards, with household recycling and changes to waste collection among the initiatives featured in its nomination.
The council was among several Lake Macquarie winners at this year’s awards. Spectrum Communications was named the region’s Employer of Choice, while Strata Tech Solutions won Outstanding New Business.
Mayor Adam Shultz said the council’s waste services were reducing the amount of rubbish sent to landfill.
“We are now recycling and composting 55 per cent of household waste. And our two Community Recycling Centres at Awaba and Belmont are diverting another 120 tonnes of problem wastes from landfill each year.”
The council’s nomination highlighted its green bin system and the switch to bookable bulky waste collections, alongside its new Waste and Circular Materials Strategy and plans for electric vehicle charging. The Excellence in Sustainability award recognises sustainable practices and efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Other local businesses recognised included Catalina Motel Lake Macquarie, which was highly commended for Excellence in Innovation, and A Growing Understanding, which received a highly commended award in the Medium Business category.
The council was also a finalist for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, while Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park was a finalist for Outstanding Visitor Experience.
Council director of service delivery Helen Plummer said the sustainability award also recognised the Living Smart Festival. The festival’s next instalment will be held at Speers Point Park on Saturday, September 19.
