Tuesday 19 April 2011

Nominations will open soon for the 2011 Cairns Regional Council Streetscape Awards, encouraging residents to spruce up their front yards and to get together with neighbours in the interest of garden unity.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Schier said we are blessed to be living in the tropics.

“We take pride in being Australia’s greenest council and part of that is encouraging residents to enjoy the outdoors and take

advantage of the wonderful native flora we have and excellent growing conditions.

“We are bordered by rainforest and that means we have so many stunning tropical plants available to us and there is inspiration everywhere we look.”

With categories for residential gardens, commercial gardens, school gardens, residential streetscape (neighbourhood entries) and more, Cr Schier said there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

“Judges will be looking for not only design and aesthetic appeal of gardens, but also maintenance standard, plant selection, sustainable water consumption, weed control measures and maintenance of footpaths,” she said.

The 2011 Cairns Regional Council Streetscape Awards will be launched on June 26, as part of Council’s Sustainability Expo.

Nominations will close of August 28, with judging taking place between August 29 and September 7. Awards will be presented on Sunday, September 11.

“It has been a long wet season, which has kept people indoors and, perhaps, gardens have been neglected,” Cr Schier said.

“But there is still time to get outside and prepare your garden for judging.  With the weather starting to cool down, this is the best time of year to be outdoors, active and making the most of our tropical climate.”