COUNCIL WINS PRESTIGIOUS NSW AWARDS

ANew South Wales Council has been recognised for its innovative projects in disaster recovery and environmental protection, winning two awards at the 2023 Local Government Professionals NSW Awards.

Byron Shire Council won two categories of the prestigious awards:

∞ The Mullum Flood Recovery Centre was the winner of the Community Partnerships award

∞ The Main and Clarkes Beach Dune Recovery project took the honours in the Environmental Leadership category

Byron Shire Council Mayor, Michael Lyon, said the awards were well deserved recognition for the amazing work being done by Council staff and the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre.

“The centre, that was set up at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall, provided people with support, information, resources and access to state, federal and other agencies and organisations working in the recovery area,” Mayor Lyon said.

“It’s an award that recognises the amazing work of not just our staff, but everyone involved, including the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre whose staff and volunteers make an incredible difference to our community every day.

“From March to August last year support was provided at the Recovery Centre to people and businesses on more than 8,000 occasions, in an environment that was safe, nurturing and reflective of our special community."

Coordinator of Coast and Biodiversity, Chloe Dowsett, accepted the award for Environmental Leadership which recognised the success of the Main and Clarkes Beach Dune Recovery project.

“Just over six months ago we brought in heavy equipment to move sand from the tidal zone up the beach to artificially rebuild the badly eroded sand dunes,” Ms Dowsett said.

“This sort of sand scraping project mimics the work done by nature, but much more quickly and the impact on the dunes has been very positive with native vegetation growing, wildlife returning and the dune system continuing to rebuild.

“Severe beach erosion like we recently experienced at Byron Bay’s Main Beach is a natural process and it has been so rewarding to see the success of this recovery project,” Ms Dowsett said.

“It is just terrific to see the innovative work of Council acknowledged at such prestigious awards which are a showcase of some of the best work being done at local government level in NSW,” Mayor Lyon said.