15 - 17 May 2026 | Launceston, Tasmania 2026 NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS AWARDS

2021 WINNERS

Download 2021 winners booklet

OVERALL WINNER

Hastings, Victoria

Hasting, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, is located within a world-renowned UNESCO Biosphere reserve and adjacent to a Marine National Park.

The community works tirelessly to maintain its unique area as a pristine ecological and sustainable hub, at the same time honouring and respecting its Indigenous past and rising to the challenge of providing aid to those facing a natural disaster.

Dame Phyllis Frost Litter Prevention

This award recognises innovation and achievements in litter prevention or reduction through education,
effecting litter management or behaviour change.

WINNER
Hastings, VIC

Hastings entered two unique programs in this category: The ‘I Sea I Care Marine Ambassador Program’ and the ‘A Team’. Both programs empower young people to become environmental leaders in litter reduction and management, as well as promote behavioural change in the broader community.

Resource Recovery and Waste Management Award

This award recognises innovation and achievements in recycling or waste reduction including initiatives that conserve resources or recover and re-use materials.

WINNER
Albury, NSW

Waste management infrastructure projects at the Albury Waste Management Centre are not only at the forefront of development in the resource recovery sector, but also function as a prime example of community engagement and education, as well as positive social enterprise, through the AWARE UpCycle Shop – which provides meaningful employment to local people with disabilities – and the newly established SMART Education Centre.

Heritage and Culture Award

This award recognises outstanding commitment to the conservation and celebration of a community’s indigenous and non-indigenous heritage and culture.

WINNER
Wallace Rockhole, NT

From its humble beginnings of several tin buildings, Wallace Rockhole has grown into a community standing strong and proud in its Indigenous heritage. Visitors to Wallace Rockhole have the privileged of learning about and experiencing Indigenous culture including bush tucker and bush medicine.

JOINT WINNER

Hastings, VIC

Hastings’ Rap4RAP endeavours to promote a positive Indigenous perspective on the Peninsula, with a long-term aim to create Indigenous & Indigenous Allies groups, where young people lead in sharing their views, thoughts and aspirations.

Young Legends Award

This award recognises achievements by an individual or group/s of young people (under 25) who have demonstrated significant commitment to the environment and/or have made significant contributions to any of the other categories..

INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Harrison Hansen from Hastings (VIC)

In his four years at Westernport Secondary College, Harrison has consistently supported the school and local community. He is a truly exceptional young man who supports numerous wider school and community events and initiatives.

GROUP WINNER

Penguin, TAS

Penguin boasts great involvement from younger groups within their town. The Central Coast Council provides opportunities for the development and growth of young people through various programs and organisations such as the Penguin Surf Club, the ‘Penguin 7 Day Makeover and ‘The Rock’.

Environmental Sustainability – Energy Award

This award recognises leadership and innovation in energy conservation and management in the face of a changing environment.

WINNER
Albury, NSW

AlburyCity is leading the way in energy conservation and management across its own facilities and in the business and household communities. Solar has been installed across 14 Council managed facilities with systems sized to match consumption patterns.

Environmental Sustainability – Water Award

This award recognises leadership and innovation in water conservation and management for the future.

WINNER
Rockhampton, QLD

In 2020, Rockhampton Regional Council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef by signing up to the Reef Guardian Council program for a further four years. Council has implemented recent upgrades that have delivered a significant reduction in nitrogen released to the Fitzroy River estuary and are working to establish recycled water schemes and improved biosolids management at the North and South Rockhampton Sewage Treatment Plants.

Environmental Sustainability – Natural Environment Management Award

This award recognises the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.

WINNER
Rockhampton, QLD

Mount Archer (Nurim) is one of the region’s most iconic locations. Following Cyclone Marcia in 2015, an ambitious plan to protect and enhance Nerim and to activate it as a significant natural and cultural asset began. Today, Council continues to protect, maintain and enhance Nerim as an important natural and cultural asset by preserving the area’s language, significant stories and artwork, as well as creating environmentally and ability friendly bushwalking opportunities.

Environmental Communication and Engagement Award

This award recognises outstanding achievements in raising awareness in environmental sustainability, leading to empowerment and behaviour change amongst the target audience.

WINNER
Wallace Rockhole, NT

At the heart of Wallace Rockhole are the First Nations people and a community that is wholly run and maintained by the Arrernte people. Close affinity with Country is maintained through sharing of stories and Traditional knowledge starting in childhood and continuing into adulthood.

Community Health, Wellbeing and Interest Award

This award recognises initiatives for the health and well-being of a community building a strong, healthy vibrant and accessible community.

JOINT WINNER
Narrogin, WA

Situated two-and-a-half hours south-east of Perth, Narrogin – with a population of approximately 4,500 – has developed a major focus on sporting facilities, park areas for children and families. Some of the sports grounds and play areas are ‘sensory friendly’ and include numerous newly constructed amenity blocks.

JOINT WINNER

Hastings, VIC

During the devastating 2020 bushfires, local agencies through the Incident Control Centre and Royal Australian Navy were looking at options to evacuate 4000 people gathered on the beach at Mallacoota. With less than 48 hours to establish an Emergency relief Centre, Mornington Peninsula Shire implemented its Municipal Emergency Management Plan, accepting over 1000 people and 150 pets who were transported by sea from Mallacoota to Hastings.

Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards 2021 – PHOTO GALLERY

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