Council a finalist in 2017 Local Government NSW Awards
Wingecarribee Shire Council has been recognised for environmental excellence in the 2017 Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards.
Now in their twentieth year, the awards recognise outstanding achievements by local government in managing and protecting the environment.
Wingecarribee Shire’s Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project is one of six finalists in the category of Natural Environment Protection & Enhancement: On-Ground Works.
Established in 2014, the project is a joint partnership program between Council, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, the University of Sydney and the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.
The Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project aims to achieve a healthy, connected, breeding population of koalas in the Southern Highlands within 100 years.
“We’re attempting to make our koala population one of the best understood populations in the state.” said Council’s Environmental Projects Officer Joe Stammers.
Earlier this year the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage confirmed that over 3,000 koalas reside in the Southern Highlands.
“For the first time we have an accurate picture of the koalas of the Southern Highlands,” said Mr Stammers. “And we’re pleased to confirm that it’s the largest population in southern NSW.”
“We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted,” added Mr Stammers.
“Of course this would not have been possible without our partners and the community who all play a vital role in ensuring the Southern Highlands koala population remains abundant,” he continued.
For the full list of finalists see www.lgnsw.org.au/events-training/excellence-environment-awards.
Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony in Sydney on 11 October 2017.