Northampton and Upper Gascoyne named Tidy Towns winners for Containers for Change and Grocery Tub schemes

Two towns in the Mid West and Gascoyne have been named Tidy Towns for 2023 for their successful waste management schemes, with many others recognised as finalists at the awards. Projects in the Shire of Northampton and Upper Gascoyne were recognised for their innovation and achievements in the waste space at the Keep Australia Beautiful Council 2023 Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards last week. Gascoyne Junction was named a Tidy Town in waste management this year for its Grocery Tub delivery scheme. Rather than weekly grocery delivery in boxes and wrappers which created large amounts of waste, the Shire partnered with the closest supermarket to trial food deliveries in green plastic tubs that could be returned on the next mail run. Households have less waste, bins are emptier and there has been a significant reduction in landfill recorded at the tip. Northampton was named a 2023 Tidy Town winner for its community Containers for Change scheme. Northampton Lions Club established drop-off points for locals to deliver containers, which are then collected by the local Men’s Shed, creating a collaborative effort among clubs. The funds raised go towards community initiatives, sporting clubs and infrastructure as part of the cyclone Seroja rebuild. Gascoyne Junction Community Resource Centre customer service officer Billie O’Sullivan was a finalist in the Young Legends award for taking on the leadership role of the initiative and going above and beyond her general duties. Other projects across the Mid West were recognised as finalists this year, including Kalbarri District High School and the Keeping Three Springs Clean project. Geraldton Holland Street School’s Little Red Shop was a finalist in the environmental education category and the Shire of Coorow’s Koobabbie Precinct was a finalist in the heritage and culture category. Jurien Bay Foreshore and Youth Precinct Redevelopment, Meekatharra Streetscape Art Project and Celebrating Sandstone Through Art and Beautification programs were all finalists in the general appearance award. The State Government-funded awards acknowledge sustainable, litter-free communities by celebrating their efforts. “The passion and drive of regional Western Australians is what keeps our communities unique and sustainable,” Environment Minister Reece Whitby said. “For more than 50 years, these awards have showcased the important collaboration taking place throughout our State.” The overall Tidy Towns winner for 2023 was Pingelly.