The Premier’s Sustainability Awards will take place at 4pm on Tuesday 23 November. 

Now in their 19th year, the awards recognise the achievements of Victorian communities, individuals and organisations who are leading the way in sustainable innovation.

EPA Victoria is the proud sponsor of the Healthy Environment – Industry Leader award.

By sponsoring the Healthy Environment – Industry Leader Award, we want to recognise and support businesses who have taken action to protect or enhance Victoria’s natural environment.

We are proud to introduce our finalists for this years’ awards; Blue Carbon Lab Deakin University, The Nature Conservancy Australia and CDC Victoria.

Finalist: Blue Carbon Lab Deakin University – Victorian Coastal Wetland Restoration Program

The Deakin-led Victorian Coastal Wetland Restoration Program brings together a range of stakeholders to oversee the restoration of 600 hectares of critical wetland habitat. It is a nature based solution to sequester carbon, mitigating the risks of climate change and helping recover Victoria's native biodiversity.

Through collaboration with project partners, the program achieved multiple key outcomes that included developing a restoration action plan to transform industrial land into natural wetland, completion of on ground coastal wetland protection works and working with traditional owners and community members to monitor and protect heritage sites and coastal wetlands.

Learn more about the Victorian Coastal Wetland Restoration Scheme

Finalist: The Nature Conservancy Australia – Bringing Back Victoria’s Lost Oyster Reefs

The Bringing Back Victoria's Lost Oyster Reefs project was designed to improve one of Victoria's most prized assets – Port Phillip Bay.

The project, with the help of community members, sought to restore one hectare of native oyster reef in Corio Bay and test a new reef restoration methodology to determine the most effective methods for degraded reef ecosystems.

Forty-four volunteers from 16 different groups became involved in the project, participating in multiple online Restore the Bay sessions, aimed at educating the community about the benefits of shellfish reef restoration.

Learn more about the Bringing Back Victoria’s Lost Oyster Reefs project

Finalist: CDC Victoria – CDC Oakleigh introduction of Volvo Zone Management technology

In 2020, CDC Victoria became the first public transport provider in Australia to implement the use of automatic geofencing technology to deliver enhanced environmental performance by reducing emissions and limiting engine noise in identified zones.

Using Volvo’s Zone Management System in their hybrid fleet, the initiative has allowed CDC Victoria to manage adverse impacts on the environment making Victoria’s public transport network, more sustainable and less disruptive.

As at July 2021, 45 of 50 Volvo hybrid buses ordered are in operation around Melbourne and have shown to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions by up to 50% and reduce fuel and CO2 emissions by up to 40%

Learn more about CDC Victoria’s use of Volvo Zone Management technology

What are the Premier’s Sustainability Awards?

Now in their 19th year, the awards recognise and celebrate Victorians who are leading the way in sustainable innovation and practices. The awards play a significant role in showcasing success stories that provide inspiration to the rest of the state.

As environmental sustainability becomes increasingly important, the awards seek to inspire industry, businesses, communities, local governments, schools and individuals across Victoria to take action towards a more sustainable future.