The town of Wujal Wujal, 30 kilometres north of Cape Tribulation, has been named one of Queensland's Tidiest Towns for 2013, winning the Environmental Protection award at a ceremony in Cairns last night.

Packaging Stewardship Forum's General Manager, Chris Jefferys, presented the prize to Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor, Cr Clifford Harrison, for the Indigenous community's Bush Foods Revegetation Project and Bloomfield Valley Horse Management Program. 

Mr Jefferys said the programs as "outstanding, as they brought together social, economic and environmental outcomes."

"The revegetation with over 1200 native included many with traditional uses for food, fibre and medicine. It also reduces erosion within the land corridor and is a large scale project for a town with a population of only 292.

"The Bloomfield Valley Horse Management Program addresses the feral horse problem in the Bloomfield Valley, and is jointly managed with Cairns Regional Council, Wujal Wujal Regional Council and the Cook Shire Council."

Nearly 50 towns competed from all around the state in 10 categories, with the fruit-growing town of Mundubbera – 200 kilometres west of Bundaberg - named Queensland’s Tidiest Town for 2013.

“With a population of 1200, Mundubbera has overcome massive flood damage in the past two years and has recovered to be an inspiration and great example of resilience and strong community spirit and care,” said CEO of Keep Queensland Beautiful, Rick Burnett.

“This is a community that understands the power of nature and respects it, and has worked hard to rejuvenate the local environment and keep it clean.

“And that means making sure litter and waste are contained and don’t damage the environment and river systems.”

Mundubbera also won the Bush Spirit Award, for outstanding community efforts during and after the floods in January this year, and will now be Queensland’s entry in the national awards judged by Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) early next year.

Cooktown's Cook Shire Council received a Highly Commended award in the Heritage category.