2008 Resource Management Awards – Finalists

October 6, 2008

MEDIA STATEMENT

2008 Resource Management Awards – Finalists Announced.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) has announced the finalists for the 2008 Resource Management Awards. The awards were established in 1991 and are held every two years. This year’s entries cover a wide range of resource management examples including waste reduction, energy and water conservation, heritage, environmental enhancement, chemical and plastic recycling, and the use of new technology.

The judges are John Schalch, editor of the Ashburton Guardian; Donald Couch, representing tangata whenua; Dr Bob Frame, environmental researcher at Landcare Research; and Peter Townsend, chief executive of the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce.

ECan chair Sir Kerry Burke, convener of the panel, said that ECan is pleased with the high number of entrants in this year’s awards.

“ECan received 36 entrants, all of a very high calibre, which demonstrates the increased commitment to the enhancement and management of the environment throughout Canterbury during the previous two years,“ he said.

“The diversity of the entrants shows that there is large scope for all kinds of activity involving resource management, from large businesses and organisations through to individual efforts.”

The 2008 Canterbury Resource Management Awards Finalists are:

Individual Category

• Colin Burrows for his involvement with the restoration of Quail Island
• Tom and Jen McElrea for Washpen Falls at Windwhistle
• Phil Garrett for Boggy Creek Stream enhancement near Halswell
• Andrew Crossland for raising awareness of birdlife and habitat

Community Category

• Pahau River Enhancement Group, Culverden
• Otamahua/Quail Island Restoration Trust
• Project Lyttelton
• Northern Pegasus Bay Coastal Management Plan Steering Committee
• New Zealand Conservation Trust nest egg programme for three South Island Kiwi species
• Prebbleton Nature Park

Professional / Institution Category

• Riparian projects in the Lake Ellesmere area - Gunnar Lundaahl
• Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway - Te Runanga O Kaikoura, Kaikoura District Council and the Department of Conservation
• Stormwater management initiatives - Waimakariri District Council

Commercial / Industrial Category

• Resene Paints paint and packaging disposal programme
• Bell Farm Electronics automated water control system
• AgRecovery rural recycling programme
• Terra Lana Products Ltd for recycling and insulation
• Opuha Dam water storage project

Additional award winners for special categories will be announced at the ceremony. These include awards for sustainable land management, heritage, water and energy conservation, business sustainability, environmental journalism and school awards.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday October 29 at the awards ceremony at the Christchurch Town Hall.

ENDS