Previous entrants in the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards say that their involvement has led to better staff morale, improved profiling with their customers and stronger community relationships.
Recent research by Sustainability Victoria says that entrants not only demonstrate increased energy efficiencies and reduced bills through their sustainability projects, by telling their stories through the Awards they enjoy a range of other benefits.
2019’s finalist in the Built Environment category was a partnership between the City of Greater Bendigo, Lovell Chen (architects and heritage consultants) and Nicholson Construction, for an extension to the Bendigo Soldier’s Memorial Institute, expected to be the first government building in Australia to be built to Passive House Standards.
Nycole Wood, Sustainability Planner & Engineer, City of Greater Bendigo, said “For us, these Awards were an opportunity for our project and the people involved to be recognised and celebrated. We had created a special building for our community, and it was important that we took a moment to stop and celebrate that achievement.
“We deliberately chose to enter the awards as a team – the client, the architect and the construction company, because we each played a critical role in the delivery of the final outcome, and we each deserved to be recognised.
“Our building is now open and is a beautiful space being enjoyed by the local community and visitors alike, and our Premier’s Sustainability Awards finalist certificate hangs in a prominent place near the entrance.”
Finalist in the Environmental Justice category, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, were acknowledged for their $6.2m upgrade to Elenara House, a 110 year old heritage-listed building in St Kilda that is home to vulnerable community residents.
Gabrielle Zdanius, Senior Project Manager, DHHS said “The Premier’s Sustainability Awards provided great recognition for DHHS and our consultant, ecoresults. The acknowledgement helped us to promote the project within the department and within government circles, and helped to champion the opportunity to others – showing how the project led by example for the community housing sector.”
Sustainability Victoria assists entrants throughout the nomination stage, then finalists and winners are provided with media releases, social media graphics, professional photos and other promotional collateral.
“Our 2018 finalists and winners tell us that the Awards’ process improves engagement and marketing opportunities at every stage. From the time they complete their entries through to the announcement of finalists, then at the prestigious ceremony to announce winners and beyond, entrants report a really positive experience,” Sustainability Victoria CEO, Stan Krpan, said.
In the Awards’ 17-year history, businesses, schools, organisations and community groups have enjoyed the chance to not only demonstrate their sustainability success, but to promote it.
“Now is the time for any group doing good sustainability work to highlight their sustainability through the Premier’s Sustainability Awards,” Mr Krpan adds.
Entries close at 5pm Thursday, 13 June, 2019.
Source: Sustainability Victoria