MEDIA RELEASE

Record entries for environmental awards

For immediate release: Tuesday 31 August 2004

An annual award, which celebrates the Bay of Plenty’s environmental heroes, has attracted a record number of entries this year.

Environment Bay of Plenty’s Environmental Awards have received 33 nominations for individuals, community groups, educational organisations and businesses from all over the region. The total includes four nominations by council staff for a new category for resource consent holders. Last year’s event had 23 entries.

Awards coordinator Sheree Phillips was again astounded by the high quality and diversity of nominations. “Every year, it’s the same,” she says. “These awards highlight the number people in our community who are working very hard to make a real difference to the environment. They are all success stories – and they are all fantastic.”

Some of the groups and organisations nominated are involved in recycling, pest control work, composting initiatives or the sharing of environmental knowledge. Geographically, they cover the whole region, from Waihi Beach in the western Bay of Plenty to Rotorua to the Motu River up the East Cape. Many also involve people of all ages.

Environment Bay of Plenty introduced a new category this year to recognise consent holders that exceeded the council’s compliance requirements. The other categories are for individuals, community groups and educational organisations.

Awards will be presented at a council meeting on September 23.

ENDS