Information Kit
Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Sustainable Cities
Awards 2015
Your city is your piece of Victoria - where you live, work or play. Your community has worked
hard to make it special, sustainable and liveable. Have your efforts recognised and rewarded
by entering the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Sustainable Cities Awards 2015.
The Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria (KABV) Sustainable Cities
Awards recognise and celebrate positive actions taken by
communities in urban areas to protect and enhance their local
environments.
• community programs and initiatives that include
partnership with government
• resource efficiency and reduction schemes
• youth leadership, action and achievement by educational
bodies, students or individuals
Why enter?
There is no limit to the number of initiatives you can enter.
Entering the awards has many benefits, including increased
community participation and pride, ownership and responsibility
of local environments. Association with the KABV awards
provides the opportunity to promote the good work being carried
out in your community and an opportunity for local media
interest. The overall Sustainable City of the Year will represent
Victoria at the Keep Australia Beautiful National Sustainable Cities
Awards.
For more examples of the type of initiatives to enter, see Award
Category Criteria below or visit
Who can get involved?
Instigation - What were the objectives, how and why did the
These awards are open to all metropolitan Melbourne local
government areas and Victorian satellite cities including Ballarat,
Bendigo, Geelong and Shepparton.
Management - Who the initiative has been managed by
About the Sustainable Cities Awards
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/kabv
What are we looking for?
The following criteria should be demonstrated in your online
initiative description. A KABV judge will visit each entrant who has
successfully completed their entries 23 – 27 March 2015.
initiative come about?
and what challenges were faced and overcome?
Anyone may enter, including councils, individuals, community
and service groups (e.g. Landcare, ‘Friends Of’ groups,
committees and service clubs), council staff, local youth and
school groups (e.g. kindergarten through to secondary school,
junior Landcare and environmental groups, Scout and sporting
clubs).
Partnerships - Has there been successful collaboration between
What to enter?
are and the overall outcome?
There are a range of award categories and new and innovative
ideas are encouraged. Initiatives entered should have taken place
in the past two years and entry examples include:
• civic, cultural and environmental activities
• development and enhancement of community facilities
and amenity
• school’s environmental programs and initiatives
• enhancing sustainability of local environments
Ongoing - Is there ongoing commitment to maintain or expand
Entries close
11pm, Monday 16 March 2015
• litter prevention, recycling programs and community clean up
initiatives
Judging
From 23 – 27 March 2015
Awards ceremony
Friday 12 June (Melbourne)
groups, and industry or government. What community participation
and engagement took place?
Awareness - How the local community has been kept informed
and what the community has learnt about the project or the aims?
Outcome - What the community and environmental benefit/s
the initiative?
Important dates
• protection of the natural environment
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/kabv
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How to enter
Enter the awards online :
• Check all mandatory fields are complete.
• Select the entry fee type and payment method if applicable. Entry is free for members and first time entrants* and those located in a
KABV member council area (find the list of KABV members at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/kabv).
*Only schools or community groups are eligible for the free first time entry offer.
• Read the KABV Awards Program 2015 Terms and Conditions of Entry and check the box to confirm acceptance.
• Select the category the initiative is being entered into. If an initiative fits into more than one category, a separate, tailored initiative
description must be supplied to ensure it fits category criteria.
• Answer each question about the initiative; this will assist in judging your initiative.
• Include a brief summary of each initiative entered 150–300 words.
• Include two photos (each approx 2 MB in jpeg format) for each initiative. A signed consent form must be included to cover all
people in submitted photographs. Photo consent forms can be found in the online entry system and at
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/kabv.
• Submit your online at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/kabv by 11pm, Monday 16 March 2015.
If you are unable to access the online entry system, contact the KABV Awards Advisor on 03 8626 8750 or email
kabv@sustainability.vic.gov.au.
After you enter
When you complete your entry a confirmation email receipt will be sent to you.
Judging: KABV will be in contact to arrange a judge’s site visit to take place 23 – 27 March 2015.
Finalists: Finalists will be announced and contacted prior to the awards ceremony. The number and quality of entries will determine the
number of finalists. All finalists will receive a 2015 finalist certificate.
Winners: Winners will be announced at the KABV Sustainable Cities Awards 2015 ceremony to be held in Melbourne on Friday 12 June
2015.
Entry tips
 Once you register online you can access the site/your entry until the awards closing date. A user guide is available in the online entry
system to assist you.
 Further supporting materials (e.g. before and after photos, supporter letters and media clippings) can be shown/provided to the judge
on the day of judging.
 Councils with both urban and regional communities within their borders can enter urban initiatives into the KABV Sustainable Cities
Awards and regional initiatives into the KABV Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities Awards. Entries are accepted at the discretion
of KABV.
Award Category Criteria
The KABV Sustainable Cities Awards 2015 includes 10 community and environmental award categories as well as the Dame Phyllis
Frost Award and the Sustainable City of the Year Award.
Active Schools
This award recognises outstanding achievement by a school in implementing sustainable practices, reducing their environmental
impact and leading the community by example.
Initiatives may include:

programs that encourage mentoring and development of sustainability throughout the school and in the community

environmental programs or sustainability initiatives where students have led or participated in awareness raising
campaigns.
Examples of initiatives include adopting sustainable methods in operations, such as retrofitting school infrastructure, undertaking
whole of school behaviour change campaigns including monitoring, auditing and reporting on energy and water consumption, school
participation in community or industry programs, implementation of plans for the school community to work with and/or lead the local
community in reducing their environmental impact, hosting environmental education conferences and seminars.
Clean Beach/Waterway
This award recognises outstanding achievement in protecting, maintaining and enhancing a local coastal environment or area with a
body of water such as a bay, river or lake.
Initiatives may include:

celebrations and events that use the beach environment

activities that promote positive usage and development of beach/waterway programs

development and/or enhancement of facilities, amenities and public areas.
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Examples of initiatives include well maintained beach/waterway upgraded amenities and facilities including improved seating areas
and installation of bins, water or energy efficient infrastructure, public water safety campaigns, festivals or events, dune protection
infrastructure, improved community access or amenities for disabled access.
Community Action & Leadership
This award recognises outstanding achievement in protecting, enhancing and promoting the environment through actions which
contribute positively to the community, demonstrate leadership, foster community spirit and build stronger communities.
Initiatives may include:

activities to promote civic pride, create community awareness, cohesion and wellbeing

development or enhancement of community amenities and public areas which address a community’s need or increase
access to community services

celebrations organised, participated in or coordinated by the community.
Examples of initiatives to enter include sustainability expos, seminars, festivals or events, pre and post natural disaster activities,
development of community emergency plans and strategies, improved access to community information services and activities,
community environmental education displays, upgraded community facilities, including seating, signage, and disability access.
Community Government Partnerships
This award recognises outstanding achievement in partnerships between community and any level of government.
Initiatives may include:

activities and community educational programs, grant and resource support, coordination of community group activities

development and implementation of programs that strengthen communications and partnerships between government and
the community

development and enhancement of public amenities or areas such as community precincts, information services or public
infrastructure.
Examples of initiatives include successful collaboration projects showcasing positive community consultation between working
groups and government, enhancement of community facilities, wellbeing programs, multi-lingual communication campaigns, bulk
buy schemes, environmental education and information sessions/workshops, community resource centres.
Cultural Heritage
This award recognises outstanding achievement by urban communities which preserve, celebrate and value Indigenous and nonIndigenous maritime, agricultural and industry, ethnic or regional heritage and culture.
Initiatives may include:

programs and initiatives encouraging historical interpretation, the establishment/ enhancement of local museums and
community education activities

restoration of Indigenous history and sites

preservation of heritage sites and historical artefacts recording and displaying local culturally significant artefacts and sites.
Examples of initiatives include cultural exchange programs, museum upgrades/restorations, preservation of culturally significant
buildings, anniversary events, development and sharing of historical information, or walking trails, effective development and
implementation of plans that create coordinated culture or heritage enhancements, community education activities, implementation
of environmentally friendly preservation methods, establishment of a local cultural heritage group.
Environmental Sustainability
This award recognises outstanding achievement by urban communities to use resources more efficiently, including sustainable
water and/or energy management, decreasing the environmental footprint and creating sustainable communities.
Initiatives may include:

innovative programs or initiatives with a focus on efficient use of resources, sustainable living, sustainable transport, water
and energy efficient technologies and reduced environmental impact

implementation of sustainable building or public space designs that minimise their environmental impact

development and implementation of environmental management plans that address local practices and efficient resource
use
Examples of initiatives include water and/or energy conservation, public education campaigns, water reuse or recycling projects,
implementation of water sensitive urban design principles, low carbon emitting energy generation programs, campaigns to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, installation of water and energy saving infrastructure, community retrofit campaigns with quantifiable
results.
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Litter Prevention
This award recognises outstanding achievement of urban communities to address litter management, reduction and education
initiatives.
Initiatives may include:

development of infrastructure to assist litter abatement

programs or initiatives with a focus on community education demonstrating best practices for litter reduction.
Examples of initiatives include programs to address litter prevention, improved bin infrastructure in public or commercial places, litter
education, enforcement and awareness campaigns, literature and signage, cigarette butt campaigns and disposal facilities in public
places, community ‘clean up’ days, roadside clean-ups, programs addressing illegal dumping, graffiti reduction programs, litter
audits and behaviour surveys
Protection of the Environment
This award recognises outstanding achievement in the protection of the natural environment with particular focus on the
conservation, preservation and management of local fauna and flora, and biodiversity.
Initiatives may include:

protection schemes and community action initiatives that aim to reconstruct the environment to protect the local fauna and
flora

development and implementation of vegetation management plans for natural areas

environmental awareness and revegetation initiatives.
Examples of initiatives include weed eradication projects, salinity and soil erosion projects, development and implementation of
plans to protect and enhance local fauna and flora and improve biodiversity, installation of interpretive and informative environmental
protection signage, fauna and flora and animal monitoring and audits, collaborative community efforts by environmental groups such
as Landcare, maintenance and protection of wildlife corridors.
Resource Recovery & Waste Management
This award recognises outstanding achievement in reusing, reducing and recycling waste in urban communities.
Initiatives may include:

programs or initiatives with a focus on community education demonstrating best practices that promote waste reduction,
recovery and recycling

development of infrastructure to assist in the successful collection of waste.
Examples of initiatives include integrated waste management plans, resource recovery centres and waste transfer station programs
and deliverables, provision of recycling bins and appropriate signage and collection in public places, resource recovery and recycling
education and awareness programs, recovery and reuse of resources, regular audits and data gathering showing improved recycling
efforts.
Young Leaders (A group or individual aged 25 years or under)
This award recognises outstanding achievement by a young leader/s taking action in environmental and community initiatives that
involve local youth and benefit urban communities.
Initiatives may include:

active youth community members and role models

mentoring and development activities led by or participated in by youth, advocating involvement in local community projects
and groups

development and/or enhancement of youth facilities and amenities.
Examples of initiatives include plans that address youth action, development, encouragement and improvement of local
environments and wellbeing, successful collaboration between youth, community groups, industry and government, public education
campaigns driven by young leaders, youth-driven projects to build amenities such as skate/bike facilities.
Dame Phyllis Frost Award
This award recognises outstanding achievement of an individual in community participation and environmental protection.
To recommend a person for consideration for this award please email kabv@sustainability.vic.gov.au
An adjudication panel decides a winner and will be looking for an individual who demonstrates:
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
community involvement and contribution – years and level of involvement and contribution to their community

environmental concern – actively involved in protecting and enhancing their local environment

leadership – evidence of leadership and guidance of others within and outside their community to achieve a positive
community outcome

KABV participation – current or past participation in KABV programs.
Sustainable City of the Year
This award recognises the urban community that best encapsulates Sustainable Cities awards categories, as well cleanliness and general
city presentation.
To be eligible five separate initiatives must be submitted into a variety of categories.
In deciding the overall Sustainable City of the Year, the judges will be looking for demonstration of the categories as well as the overall
tidiness and presentation of a city.
Please note if you are selected as the Victorian Sustainable City of the Year, you will be required to prepare a submission for the National
Sustainable City Awards and host a national judge’s visit.
Gift Fund Prize
The KABV Gift Fund was established to encourage and support community groups to get started with new community projects. Each year
the Gift Fund seeks to award prizes to a small number of grass roots projects that will deliver sustainability outcomes, reduce litter and
build capacity in local communities.
There are two prizes of $1000 to be awarded at the KABV Sustainable Cities Awards ceremony.
See The Gift Fund Information Sheet for details and application requirements.
If you have any further questions about the KABV Sustainable Cities Awards contact the KABV Awards Advisor via email
kabv@sustainability.vic.gov.au or call 03 8626 8750.
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