CITY OF MANDURAH AWARDED FOR WISE WATER ACTION

Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey received a Water Campaign™ Award on behalf of the City of Mandurah for its commitment to sustainable water management through its participation in the Water Campaign™.

“By participating in the Water Campaign, the City of Mandurah is responding decisively to the vital issue of climate change and its increasing importance to water management,” she said.

"Local governments continue to lead in environmental issues, and the City’s actions are helping to reduce the impact on our water resources through the Water Campaign, which has resulted in many environmental, financial and social benefits.”

Mayor Creevey was among representatives from state and local government at the Local Governments Delivering on Sustainability recognition breakfast hosted by ICLEI Oceania during the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) Local Government Convention and Trade Exhibition.

Speakers at the event included Kim Taylor, Director General, Department of Water; Cr Bill Mitchell, President, WALGA; Mayor Paddi Creevey, City of Mandurah; and Dr Shayne Silcox, Chief Executive Officer, City of Melville.

Twenty-one Australian councils were awarded by the Oceania Secretariat of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, an international not-for-profit organisation that supports local governments worldwide to achieve sustainable development through local action.

There are currently 38 councils participating in ICLEI’s Water Campaign™ in Western Australia, representing 71 per cent of the state’s population.  The City of Mandurah joined the program in 2002 and, as an ICLEI member, is part of a worldwide network of more than 900 local government organisations working towards sustainable development.

Wayne Wescott, ICLEI Oceania’s Chief Executive Officer, said that water conservation was one of the most pressing concerns facing local governments today.

“Communities are aware of the urgent need to act on climate change and local government has a significant role to play in the sustainable management of our precious and limited water resources,” Mr Wescott said.

“The Water Campaign™ demonstrates how local government can make a difference – their combined efforts are delivering real benefits in sustainable water management across Australia.

“Councils have discovered that addressing sustainable water management makes good economic, environmental and political sense.

The City of Mandurah is one of 119 local governments taking part in the Water Campaign™ throughout Australia. These councils are actively conserving water and improving the quality of rivers, streams and groundwater within their communities.

The Water Campaign™ is delivered by ICLEI Oceania in collaboration with local and state governments, water authorities and the Australian Government.

For more information on the City of Mandurah’s involvement in the Water Campaign, the City’s milestone achievements and Local Action Plan, visit http://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/council/sustainability/water.

RELEASE ENDS

14 August 2008