The town of Hughenden in Flinders Shire has been named Queensland’s Tidiest Town for 2017 by environmental movement Keep Queensland Beautiful.
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Keep Queensland Beautiful’s programs motivate people to enhance the quality of their local environment through personal initiative and community action programs.
The flagship program Tidy Towns, aims to recognise and reward work occurring in towns across Queensland.
The announcement was made by Keep Queensland Beautiful CEO, Mr David Curtin today, where he congratulated Flinders Shire Council Mayor Jane McNamara on the successful win.
“Hughenden’s submission was outstanding across all key focus areas. Our Tidy Towns judges were extremely impressed by the sheer number of projects undertaken in the outback town,” Mr Curtin said.
“Projects like the Good Neighbour Program provide an innovative solution to what is otherwise a challenging task. This easy-to- follow program now provides a template for other Councils to replicate in regions that are also finding it difficult to tackle their noxious weed infestations.
“The Hughenden community should be proud that their Council is leading the way.”
Flinders Shire Council Mayor, Jane McNamara, was very proud of the efforts of so many who were a part of this award.
“I would like firstly to thank all of the community members and Council staff who have contributed to the wonderful town of Hughenden and the Flinders Shire.”
“It was more than a decade ago that Hughenden won the award for the Friendliest Town and as a community with a ‘Can Do’ attitude we have kept building on the fabric of our town.
“This now completes the trifecta for The Dinosaur Trail as the two other centers of Richmond and Winton (2016 winner) have been winners of this prestigious award in the past.
“Tourism makes all communities take more pride in their environment and community and the attractions that they present.
“We love our Shire and community and have so much to offer from the amazing Porcupine Gorge, access to four National Parks and our many community events and sports.
“After having had many years of drought being awarded Queensland’s Tidiest Town is a positive boost for our community. Congratulations to all of those who have contributed to our success in winning this year.”
With a population of just 1,151 people, Hughenden are rewarded for kicking above their weight, achieving a 4-star rating in the Queensland Tidy Towns accreditation program.
The winning town receives a marketing campaign thanks to sponsor iFuture Communications, including a mobile billboard and social media advertising campaign that commenced today.
Some projects that contributed towards a successful win include;
- Good Neighbour Program,
- Development of Flinders Shire Council Art and Cultural Plan 2017 – 2022,
- Public Art (Station Signs and Brands, Wildflower Awning Panels),
- Porcupine Gorge National Park - Ecotourism feasibility study and business plan,
- The forthcoming appointment of a Historical Coordinator to digitise, catalogue and preserve local historical collection,
- Mount Walker interpretation signage and future development works,
- Shearing the Stragglers live demonstrations and shearing displays
- Partnerships with Australia’s Dinosaur Trail and Overlander’s Way,
- Hughenden Walking and Cemetery Tours,
- Flinders Discovery Centre,
- ANZAC Day research projects in conjunction with local schools and library,
- Recreational Lake construction,
- Free RV camping,
- Legend and the Locals tour,
- Weather or Not – Kooroorinya Ladies Day – Where the Rainbow meets the water,
- Hughenden Races and race meets at Prairie Races, Stamford Races, Kooroorinya Races,
- Hughenden Country Music Festival,
- Hughenden Agricultural Show Society is over 130 years in existence
- Lions Club re-establishment,
- Porcupine Gorge Challenge,
- Town and Country Ball and Rugby 7’s
- Freestyle on Flinders,
- Hughenden Touch Club re-establishment,
- Participation in Regional Roads Forum and Tourism Talk Forum,
- BlazeAid,
- Introduction of cigarette bins in high traffic areas,
- Eco-Crusher recycling bin,
- Hughenden Airport development and award (Innovation or Excellence Recycling Award),
- Recycle Shop at Hughenden Landfill,
- Improved waste management practices at the new landfill site,
- Bulk rubbish collections,
- Synthetic grass installed in traffic islands to reduce water usage,
- Great Artesian Basin interpretation (educational) signage,
- Energy audit of Council facilities.
- In 2017 the Flinders River Bank Stabilisation Project has been undertaken