Great Southern towns pick up tidy gongs

The annual WA Tidy Towns titles for the South Coast and Great Southern were awarded in Ongerup on Friday, October 4, with Albany picking up two gongs.

Albany won the waste management and litter prevention and the young legends categories, while Denmark took home the energy innovation award.

Mt Barker received a special commendation for natural resource management.

City of Albany mayor Dennis Wellington said the awards were a great result.

“It is an excellent effort by those concerned,” he said.

“The waste management strategy is something the City has been involved with for some time and the Young Naturalists Club obviously put in a lot of work to win the young legends award.”

Despite Albany’s strong showing in the category awards, the city was pipped for the tidiest town title.

Bremer Bay was named the South Coast’s tidiest town, after also winning the natural environment and conservation category.

Submission co-ordinator Priscilla Broadbent said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the “completely unexpected” win.

West Arthur won the Great Southern tidiest town title for the fourth year running, after also bagging the general appearance award.

West Arthur Tidy Towns Committee chairperson Lisa Saunders said she was “very proud” of the continued efforts of dedicated volunteers.

“We have had a very active tidy town committee for some years … the award reflects the commitment and pride the shire and residents have in the town,” she said. Ongerup won the community action and partnerships award, while Nyabing won the heritage and culture award.

Bremer Bay and West Arthur will compete with other regional winners for the Tidy Towns sustainable communities State title in November.

West Australian Regional Newspapers is a sponsor of the WA Tidy Towns awards.