Premier's Sustainability Awards – 2023 winners and finalists
Sustainability Victoria is proud to showcase the 2023 winners and finalists of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
These organisations and individuals span industry, businesses, government, charities, social enterprises and not-for-profits. They are trailblazers who are leading the way in Victoria’s transition to a circular, climate-resilient economy. Read on and be inspired.
Winners were announced at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards Ceremony at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square on 23 November 2023.
Circular economy innovation
Community Champion Winner: Wholefoods Unwrapped Collective
Wholefoods Unwrapped Collective is furthering the circular economy by eliminating packaging in the food system through the use of durable and reusable containers from paddock to plate.
Industry Leader Winner: ecologiQ
The Victorian Government’s ecologiQ program is supporting the transition to a circular economy by requiring contractors delivering Victorian major transport projects to use as much recycled and reused content as possible via the Recycled First Policy.
Future energy
Community Champion Winner: Bunyip Renewables Action Group
Bunyip residents have formed the Bunyip Renewables Action Group (BRAG) to reduce the district’s carbon footprint by facilitating the town’s transition to renewable energy.
Industry Leader Winner: Kinetic Melbourne
Kinetic Melbourne’s Zero Emissions Bus Depot is delivering a cleaner, greener Victorian bus network by upgrading electrical infrastructure in Sunshine West and Heatherton depots to house and charge 36 new Battery Electric Buses.
Healthy and fair society
Community Champion Winner: Assembled Threads
Assembled Threads produced a range of Hi-Vis vests, completely sourced from recycled materials, while creating meaningful and purposeful employment and training for CALD communities.
Industry Leader Winner: Geelong Sustainability
Geelong Sustainability is creating climate safe, comfortable living environments for low-income households, improving health and financial situations and reducing the burden on the public health system for a happier and healthier community.
Sustainable places
Community Champion Winner: Brimbank City Council
Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is Australia’s first 100% renewable energy powered, zero greenhouse gas emissions aquatic centre, providing a leading example of sustainability in aquatic centres in Australia.
Industry Leader Winner: Nightingale Housing
Six leading architecture firms have partnered with Nightingale Housing to create Nightingale Village, a community of 203 all-electric homes that set a new standard for people-centred sustainable design.
Thriving environment
Community Champion Winner: My Smart Garden
My Smart Garden is a free sustainable gardening program that supports residents across 8 Melbourne councils to transform their outdoor spaces into productive, functional gardens with benefits for households and the environment.
Industry Leader Winner: Cassinia Environmental
Cassinia Environmental developed their Natural Agriculture Community model to bring agriculture, biodiversity and community together on a large scale on their property in Rokewood.
Waste and recycling solutions
Community Champion Winner: Porous Lane
Porous Lane is diverting Australian waste tyres from landfill and reusing them in an engineered permeable pavement.
Industry Leader Winner: UPPAREL
UPPAREL is Australia and New Zealand’s leader in textile recovery and recycling, preventing textiles from reaching landfill, extending the lifespan of clothing and raising awareness about the environmental impact of textile waste.
Premier's Recognition Award
Winner: Assembled Threads
Assembled Threads creates meaningful, purposeful employment and training for culturally and linguistically diverse garment artisans.
Premier's Regional Recognition Award
Winner: Geelong Sustainability
Geelong Sustainability’s Climate Safe Rooms program reduces the burden on the public health system and contributes to a happier and healthier community.
