Singleton’s approach to sustainability has been celebrated as industry leading after taking out the Local Sustainability Award (Division A – for councils with a population less than 30,000) in the Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards 2022.

Held annually, the Awards recognise outstanding achievements by NSW councils in managing and protecting the environment.

Singleton Council was recognised for its 2021 State of the Environment Report. More than a requirement of the Local Government Act for end of term reporting, the State of Environment is a checklist of the tangible actions taken by Council and the local community in living out the ethos to value, protect and enhance a sustainable environment.

The report showcases a long list of achievements including a 31 per cent reduction in Council electricity usage, 29 per cent reduction in Council’s greenhouse gas emissions, and a more than doubling of Council’s use of renewable energy.

Council’s Director Infrastructure and Planning Services, Justin Fitzpatrick Barr said these outcomes reflect the substantial shift in Council’s organisational approach to sustainability with a course of actions to lead by example.

He said the Local Government NSW Environment award was due recognition for the wide range of projects, programs and initiatives in a continued emphasis on sustainability across the local government area.

“Sustainability initiatives so far have helped to cut energy usage and emissions, made sustainability a key consideration in Council’s procurement process and put Singleton at the forefront of conversations about the economic evolution of the Hunter region – to name but a few,” Justin said.

“These achievements cover the results of our organisation’s efforts to minimise our consumption, and significantly, it also demonstrates our community is acting alongside us. Add them all together, and that’s a lot of ripples.

“But most importantly, the results highlighted in this State of the Environment Report showcase how we all have a role to play in leading changes in sustainability in all its forms – however small our actions as individuals may seem.

“I’m extremely proud of how Singleton Council is acting every day not only to create community, but to create a sustainable community that people will be proud of for decades to come.”

IMAGE | Singleton Council’s Environmental Projects Officer Lexi Crouch, Manager Development and Environmental Services Mary-Anne Crawford and Sustainability Projects Officer Bonnie Wilson