Taranaki Regional Council media release
19 May 2009

Environmental Awards Winners Many And Varied

A record number of Taranaki Environmental Awards were announced today (19 May), with awards organisers saying the broad range of recipients reflects a healthy across-the-board commitment to the region’s environment.

The Taranaki Regional Council has made 18 awards, an all-time high after last year’s 17 presentations. The annual awards were initiated in 1993.

This year’s recipients range from a community garden to major corporates, and also include farmers, schools, service businesses, a District Council, a residential development and a veteran possum trapper.

“It might appear a hugely disparate group, but they’re linked by an important thread: They’ve all been doing their bit to protect and enhance the Taranaki environment,” says the Council Chairman, David MacLeod. “We’re pleased to be able to recognise them with these awards.

“Besides the energy and sweat of those at grassroots level, these awards also recognise millions of dollars that have been invested in environmental protection and enhancement.

“And they underscore a point made strongly in the Council’s 2009 State of the Environment Report – that Taranaki’s good progress on a number of environmental fronts is the result of the efforts and investments of the entire community The awards are an opportunity to recognise some of these efforts and hold them up as an example and an inspiration.”

For the first time, this year’s awards include one presented posthumously, for environmental protection work initiated by the late Selwyn O’Neill on his Kaponga dairy unit.

This year’s awards were again made in three categories.

Business/local authority

The Links coastal development, New Plymouth: Environmental enhancement and stormwater treatment.
New Plymouth District Council: Environmental management and performance of water supply schemes.
Okurukuru restaurant/winery, New Plymouth: Energy efficiency and waste minimisation.
La Nuova Apparelmaster, Bell Block: Energy efficiency and water conservation.
Fonterra Kapuni: Advances in wastewater and stormwater treatment and environmental performance.
Downer EDI Works, New Plymouth: Advances in asphalt production and environmental performance.

Agricultural

Nigel Megaw, New Plymouth: Biodiversity protection and enhancement.
Selwyn O’Neill (posthumous award): Riparian management.
David and Karen Peat, Waitotora Valley: Sustainable land management.
Bruce Leckie, Coastal Taranaki: Protecting biodiversity and agriculture through possum control services.

Individual/school/community group

Marfell Community Gardens: Promoting sustainability through environmental education.
Coastal Taranaki School Student Extension Programme: Promoting environmental responsibility and action.
Kaimata Primary, Marco Primary, Matapu Primary, Omata Primary, Opunake High and Waitoriki Primary: Increasing environmental awareness and understanding through environmental education.

More details of this year’s award winners can be found on the Taranaki Regional Council website, www.trc.govt.nz.

A total of 156 awards have been made since 1993.

ENDS

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