15 November 2023
The news comes as several first-time applicants in both countries win the Award for the first time.
In Australia, Parks Victoria claimed their first Award with Werribee Park - part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Bunurong People. And Sunshine Coast Council doubled up to win a second Award with Buderim Village Park. A total of seven winners were celebrating in Australia this year, also including sites in Brisbane, Chinchilla and Campbelltown outside Adelaide.
*Article cover image: Sunshine Coast Council Parks and Gardens Team with Cllr Ted Hungerford
Sunshine Coast Councillor Ted Hungerford said the award brought with it a wealth of benefits for the region:
‘I’m so pleased to see this glorious park recognised on the world stage and I’m sure the elevated status will lead to higher visitation which is good news for local businesses’
‘Receiving this esteemed award highlights the amazing work undertaken by our dedicated teams across Council.’
Image 1: Gore Public Gardens, Gore District Council, New Zealand
In New Zealand an impressive 26 sites met the internationally recognised standard. Including a new winner in the South Island - Gore Public Gardens for Gore District Council (pictured above). Jubilee Park in the North Island was another first time winner for Horowhenua District Council – one of six winners for that Council this year.
Arthur Nelson - Parks and Property Manager at Horowhenua District Council said:
‘Here within the Horowhenua (NZ) we are hugely committed to Green Flag Award. The award goes to the heart of the community and allows Council to listen, hear and respond in partnership with its stakeholders.'
'However, Green Flag Award is more than a mechanism to deliver high-quality green space to users, it is an investment in the social and cultural fabric of the community. It challenges us to deliver relevant, sustainable, high-value green space and meet many of the social, cultural, environmental, and ecological challenges we have before us.'
'Just as importantly it provides profile, allows us to benchmark our services, and delivers a tangible measure in the parks space that allows decision-makers to see the value of the services provided. I am a huge fan!’
Elsewhere in New Zealand; as well as a number of individual winners, Auckland Council, Hastings City Council, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council/Tauranga City Council all picked up multiple Awards for their ongoing commitment to providing good quality parks for the communities they serve.
33 Winners over 18 organisations
To see a full list of the winners click here
For an interactive global map of current winners, including Australia and New Zealand visit: https://www.greenflagaward.org/award-winners/
Sarah Murray – CEO of Recreation Aotearoa said:
‘The Green Flag Awards are important for two reasons; Firstly, to be able to be a recipient of a Green Flag Award, a park must obviously meet global benchmark standards, which ensure it is sustainable, accessible, well maintained and has policies in place to ensure it has a positive environmental impact, both now and in the future. Secondly, by receiving Green Flag Award status, Councils and organisations are given an opportunity to profile their parks and showcase their commitment to creating high-quality green spaces for their communities.’
Image 2: Green Flag Award judges, applicants and associates celebrate the Parks Victoria win in Adelaide
Sustainable Places congress in Adelaide
Earlier in October, Green Flag Award judges and applicants from around the world got together at the "Sustainable Places" Parks and Leisure & World Urban Parks international congress in Adelaide.
Park Victoria received an early recognition for their first Green Flag Award win for Werribee Park. Receiving the Award for Parks Victoria were CEO Andrew Jackson, Board Member Vijaya Vaidyanath and Board Chair John Pandazopoulos.
New delivery partnership for Australia
In 2024 the Green Flag Award in Australia will be managed by operational partners Xyst. This comes as the Award has grown steadily over the years, despite some setbacks as a result of the pandemic a few years ago.
Carl McClean – International Development manager at the Green Flag Award for Keep Britain Tidy said:
‘The Green Flag Award has a long and respected history in both Australia and New Zealand and it's fantastic to see many first-time winners pick up Awards this year. Well done to everyone involved’.
‘Keep Britain Tidy is pleased to be partnering with Xyst in Australia, who have an excellent reputation in the parks sector for quality and professionalism. We can’t wait to see the Award grow further under their leadership.’
For more information on Xyst, visit: https://xyst.co.nz/
Global winners
For an interactive global map of current winners, including Australia and New Zealand visit: https://www.greenflagaward.org/award-winners/
Further information
The Green Flag Award® is a non-profit international accreditation programme that recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces. Today the Green Flag Award proudly flies above more than 2,400 places in 17 countries around the world.
The programme is managed internationally by environmental Charity Keep Britain Tidy, alongside a network of National Operators in several countries. See the website Network page for more information.
To find out more in general, or apply for an Award, whichever country you are based in; explore the Green Flag Award website: https://www.greenflagaward.org, or alternatively click here for a contact form.
