Premier's Sustainability Award
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GORCC has won the 2008 Premier's Sustainability Award.
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee has won the 2008 Premier’s Sustainability Award. The award, in the community category, was presented by Premier John Brumby at a ceremony in Melbourne last week attended by 500 people.
The award recognizes GORCC’s leadership role in working to protect and enhance the conservation, recreation and tourism values of the 37 kilometre stretch of the coast between Torquay and Lorne.
The Committee’s Chair Peter Anderson said “It is very heartening to have our achievements recognized by this prestigious award”.
“I’d particularly like to thank and acknowledge our dedicated staff who work everyday to ensure the coast is loved, protected and enjoyed by all”.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the many Coast Action Groups and other organizations who are partners with the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee in looking after the coast”, said Peter Anderson.
The coast is what motivates and inspires the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee. The environmental, social, recreation, tourism, cultural and economic values of the coast benefit us all. The coast also faces plenty of challenges, from weeds, litter and erosion to climate change.
Peter Anderson said “We all have to do more to achieve a sustainable coast and community”.
Sustainability is a key priority for the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee. Current initiatives include upgrading the Torquay and Lorne Foreshore Caravan Parks, responding to the likely impacts of climate change and expanding important environmental initiatives along the coast. Planning for future coastal infrastructure and resourcing needs is also a priority, given the growth in residential populations and visitors in the region. Working with communities, Coast Action Groups and other organisations is essential to ensuring the coast is well managed.
The Premiers Sustainability Award recognizes that GORCC has worked tirelessly in building and maintaining walking tracks, playgrounds, lookouts and other visitor facilities, undertaken environmental weed removal works, restored native vegetation and implemented waste minimisation and water and energy conservation strategies.
In 2006, GORCC published the Environment and Land Management Plan – a blueprint for conservation, community and sustainability initiatives.
GORCC has also engaged schools and community groups to help students and others to learn more about the unique coastal environment.
Each year the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee raises and spends more than $4 million to provide valuable works, services and activities along the coast.
The caravan parks managed by the Committee in Torquay and Lorne provide more than 80% of the funds to look after the coast, supported by various State and Federal Government grants.
GORCC’s efforts benefit local communities between Torquay and Lorne, along with the thousands of campers who stay in the caravan parks, and the many more who visit the coast each year.