Green nod for Geelong organisations

A GEELONG school and its council have earned recognition for their sustainability initiatives and are in the running to win state awards next month.

Kardinia International College is a finalist for the sustainable places and destinations category for its commitment to renewable energy, recycled materials, and efficient appliances in the 2022 Premier’s Sustainability Awards.

The City of Greater Geelong also won nominations in two categories; for waste and litter reduction for its bin inspection program, and for thriving environment its 500-hectare Sparrovale Wetlands project.

The College won commendation for a redevelopment of its junior school, which included a 300-kilowatt solar system that generates enough energy to be carbon-neutral during the day.

Meanwhile, the school is also buying further green power, all light fittings have been converted to LEDs, it uses organic waste as compost and the canteen uses biodegradable bags and recycled furniture.

COGG was picked as an industry leader for its bin inspections, which have checked 291,000 recycling bins over seven months, covering almost every household of the municipality.

Sustainability Victoria indicated the program had been successful in dropping contamination rates and saved tonnes of recycling from landfill.

The city’s acquisition of land between its Armstrong Creek growth area and Lake Connewarre also won recognition for the plan to “open a large new wetlands park for nature-based recreational and educational activities”, and “provide an end-of-drainage solution for stormwater treatment and storage”.

Sustainability Victoria’s state awards aims to “recognise and celebrate Victorians who are leading the way to a sustainable future”.

The awards recognise projects across six categories linked to internationally accepted sustainable development goals; circular economy, future energy, healthy and fair society, sustainable places and destinations, thirving environment, and waste and litter reduction.

The state body picks finalists for each section in both community champion and industry leader categories, and will announce winners next month.

Sustainability Victoria will host the 2022 awards on September 20 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.