Wingecarribee Shire Council has been recognised at the 2026 NSW Tidy Towns Awards, receiving awards across three categories for projects delivering environmental and sustainability outcomes across the shire.
The Awards celebrate communities and organisations leading environmental initiatives across regional New South Wales that protect and enhance local environments.
The award-winning projects include:
Highly Commended, Communications and Engagement Award.
Wingecarribee Shire Council Priority Weeds Information Days, which provide residents and landholders with practical information to identify, report and manage invasive weeds, helping protect local biodiversity and strengthen community biosecurity awareness.
Winner, Biodiversity Conservation Award. Land for Wildlife Koala Tree Giveaway, which supports private landholders to enhance koala habitat and strengthen wildlife corridors through the distribution of native feed trees and habitat species.
Winner, Water Conservation and Protection Award – Urban Rivers. Restoring the Wingecarribee River, a collaborative restoration program focused on improving river health through revegetation, erosion control, water quality improvements and long-term environmental stewardship.
“These awards recognise what can be achieved when Council works alongside residents, volunteers, landholders, schools and community groups towards a shared goal.
“Protecting and enhancing our natural environment is a responsibility we all share, and it is encouraging to see so many people contributing their time, knowledge and passion to projects that deliver lasting benefits for our community,” said Mayor Foley.
General Manager Lisa Miscamble said the awards reflected Council’s ongoing commitment to environmental management and sustainability.
“I am very proud of Our Bushland and Biosecurity, Tree Management and Natural Resources teams and the many community volunteers that support this work, who are working every day to restore and protect local ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity and
support the long-term health of our natural environment.
“These awards recognise the impact of their work and the value of partnering with our community to achieve lasting environmental outcomes.”
Wingecarribee was recognised as a finalist for the overall 2026 NSW Tidy Towns Awards, reflecting the breadth and impact of environmental initiatives being delivered.
Council was also a finalist in the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Award category for its Urban Tree Management Strategy, Plan and Policy, which has guided the planting of more than 10,000 trees and strengthened the urban canopy across the shire’s towns and villages.
Council remains committed to protecting and enhancing Wingecarribee’s natural environment through practical action, partnership and long-term stewardship.
