Upper Hunter Shire Communities Recognised for Sustainable Initiatives
Published on 03 March 2023
The Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2022 Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards are just around the corner, and the Upper Hunter Shire communities are ready to showcase their sustainable initiatives. The awards program is all about celebrating the projects developed by community groups, businesses, councils, and individuals that prioritise and continually strive for sustainability.\
Murrurundi has demonstrated an incredible commitment to sustainability through its Up-cycling Textiles initiative, a partnership project with Murrurundi CWA, UHSC, and Murrurundi Landcare Tidy Towns aimed at reducing textile waste to landfill. In addition, the Murrurundi Preschool Seed Library encourages community members to grow their own vegetables. The seed library was officially opened by the Mayor of Upper Hunter Shire in 2021.
The Adopt a Spot program has also been instrumental in promoting sustainability in Murrurundi. Signage was purchased by Council to promote the work of volunteers who have "adopted spots" in town. These include the Pioneer Cottage, Memorial Garden, and the Railway Station in Murrurundi. The Blandford Public School Bush Tucker Garden has also shown the importance of sustainability and biodiversity through their dedication to featuring local native species.
In Scone, the Belltrees Public School has implemented several sustainability initiatives, including an educational playground for regenerative agriculture, which includes a sustainable regenerative farm, raised gardens, and wicky beds. They also implemented the Paddock to Plate and Garden to Classroom program, allowing students to grow and serve their fruits, vegetables, eggs, and lamb. The Scone District Garden Club has partnered with Upper Hunter Shire Council to restore an area of bushland in the Bill Rose Sport Complex, providing a biodiverse habitat and nesting areas for birds and small mammals.
The Scone Literary Festival's Patrick White Oration celebrates Australia's only Nobel Laureate for Literature and the literary heritage of the Upper Hunter Valley. The Scone Neigh-bour Art Competition, organised by the Scone Horse Festival and the Scone Chamber of Commerce, showcases the community's love for horses and their rich heritage.
The Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards Program helps bring passionate, forward-thinking communities together, showing appreciation for their sustainable initiatives and ongoing efforts. The winners will be announced on Saturday, 4th March, and the Tidy Towns 2021 winner, Singleton, will be hosting the awards event across three days from 3rd - 5th of March, with the category awards presented at the Singleton Diggers in the morning session and the remaining categories, including the acclaimed 2022 Overall Tidy Towns Winner, announced over an evening of celebrations at the Singleton Civic Centre.
The Upper Hunter Shire communities are proud to have such passionate and forward-thinking residents, and together, they will continue to prioritise sustainability and make a positive impact on their environment and community.