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City of Greater Geelong awarded for water wisdom
Thursday, 2 July 2009
10:32 AM
Media Releases
The City of Greater Geelong was awarded on Monday 22 June for its commitment to sustainable water management through participating in the Water Campaign™, an international freshwater management program.
Cr John Mitchell joined delegates from state and local government at ICLEI Oceania’s Step up! Recognition and Briefing Breakfast, delivered during the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly (ALGA) at the Canberra National Convention Centre.
Cr Geoff Lake, President of ALGA, delivered the keynote address at the event and presented awards to council representatives.
“By participating in the Water Campaign™ the City is responding decisively to the vital issue of climate change and its increasing importance to water management.”
The City of Greater Geelong received an award for achieving community Milestone 1 in the five-milestone program.
Milestone 1 is the first step in the five-milestone program, which involves creating an inventory of water consumption data and water quality issues that are influenced by Council’s own activities and those of its community. Once complete the inventory identifies areas where progress toward sustainable water management can be made. Council is using this data to design a program of actions to achieve sustainable water management
John Mitchell received the award on behalf of Council.
“The City of Greater Geelong is proud to be part of the Water Campaign,” he said.
“By achieving Milestone 1 we have identified areas of council and community activity where sustainable water management can be improved,” he said.
Mr Wayne Wescott, ICLEI Oceania’s Chief Executive Officer, said water conservation is one of the most pressing concerns facing local governments today.
“Councils have discovered that addressing sustainable water management makes good economic, environmental and political sense”, said Mr Wayne Wescott, Chief Executive Officer, ICLEI Oceania.
The Water Campaign™ is delivered by ICLEI Oceania in collaboration with local and state governments, water authorities and the Australian Government.
The City of Greater Geelong is one of 121 local governments who have joined the Water Campaign™ throughout Australia and are actively conserving water and improving the quality of rivers, streams and groundwater within their communities.
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