Tweed businesses shining at sustainability

TWEED’S leading environmental innovators have been recognised for their efforts to protect the region’s natural assets at the 2025 Sustainability Awards.

The event was held last night at Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club, celebrating the people and organisations making a meaningful difference to the region’s environment, with nine winners chosen from 33 nominations.

A two-time winner of the Tweed Sustainability Awards, Woodland Valley Farm was recognised in the Regenerative Agriculture category for improvements to processing and retail, demonstrating a near-circular food supply and a carbon-positive system, and for its goal to achieve net-zero certification in the coming years.

For Wildlife Habitat and Conservation, Bilambil Landcare was honoured for planting 30,000 trees and for consistently expanding the area, while maintaining earlier regeneration areas, improving landscape connectivity, and demonstrating ongoing commitment.

In the Business category, Caldera Brewing & Blending Co received the nod for saving energy, integrating renewable energy into their operations, diverting substantial amounts of waste, decreasing water usage, using whole fruit, imperfect fruit, and local composters, and brewing methods that reduced refrigeration energy by 60 per cent.

Head Chef of Potager restaurant, Luis do Carmo, was recognised for reducing the restaurant’s environmental footprint, integrating regenerative agriculture with fine dining, and inspiring others to do the same through the rapid and widespread implementation of a holistic, circular ‘garden to plate’ sustainability program.

Pipit Restaurant’s second Sustainability Award in Tourism and Hospitality acknowledged its role as a thought leader and educator in sustainability, its transparency and hyper-local sourcing from 41 local farmers and businesses in the region, and its commitment to educating diners.

James Fullerton and Robyn Twell were the first recipients of the new Urban Rewilding award for their conscientious and caring efforts to support birds, native animals and insects on their property, planting hundreds of native trees and grasses.

Coastal Academy of STEM Excellence was recognised in Education for offering learning opportunities across the Tweed in conservation, renewables, the circular economy, and citizen science, and in engaging multiple schools and stakeholders with problem-solving and educational experiences.

Odin Walker’s active involvement in his school community saw him recognised in the Young Person category for his multiple leadership positions, his passion for responsible consumption, and his belief in being accountable for reducing waste.

Team Koala was honoured in the Community category and the People’s Choice Awards for its efforts in raising awareness of issues affecting koalas and for their effectiveness in reaching people across the Tweed.

Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said the awards reflected the region’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

“It’s inspiring to see our community taking tangible steps to protect our environment,” Cr Cherry said.

“We know our environment, wildlife, and beaches are some of the main reasons people love living in the Tweed.

“Whether through school projects or business innovations, these efforts show that every action, big or small, can help create a lighter footprint on our beautiful Tweed.”