Waste facilities beautified thanks to garden competition
TOOWOOMBA Regional Council’s waste facilities have been celebrating the season with an annual garden competition.
Council
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WITH spring in the air and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in full bloom, the Toowoomba Regional Council’s waste facilities have been celebrating the season with an annual garden competition.
TRC Water and Waste Chair Cr Rebecca Vonhoff and Portfolio Leader Cr Nancy Sommerfield judged the competition, and this week presented category winners.
Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the council’s facilities were really blooming this spring.
“The beautiful gardens have set off our facilities, and it shows the pride that our staff have in their workplaces,” Cr Sommerfield said.
“The Clifton Waste Management Facility and Reviva Recycling Centre at Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility were joint winners of the overall competition.
“This year saw the highest and closest scores awarded since the competition started.
“It was difficult to split the winners, and in the end, we agreed to a tie.
“Clifton’s display was not a traditional garden; however, the innovation and creativity shone through with a real example of reuse and recycling.
“Reviva Recycling’s Lorax theme was also outstanding, creating a backyard for their central character.”
Cr Sommerfield said the gardens were both grown with sustainability in mind, with no need for watering at either site.
“I would recommend a visit just to see these outstanding displays as part of our Region’s celebration of the season,” she said.
Cr Rebecca Vonhoff said the level of thought, creativity and effort put in by facilities’ staff is evident in the quality of their entries
“The annual competition is more than just the best garden, and each year staff compete for the best photograph, best video presentation and even the best office plant,” she said.
“There are good news stories at each facility with the community getting involved in some of the gardens.
“The not-for-profit organisation, Ability Enterprises, are involved in maintaining most of the council’s regional facilities.
“The group has been particularly active at the Yarraman Waste Management Facility where they have created a sustainable garden.”
Ability Enterprises CEO Tracey Scanlan said Ability Enterprises had proudly held the contract to provide services at TRC facilities since 2012.
“Ability Enterprises provides services to each waste facility operated and owned across the Toowoomba region from Yarraman to Millmerran, across to Clifton and everywhere in between,” Ms Scanlan said.
“As a Not for Profit Social Enterprise, this contract allows us to offer meaningful employment to our team who identify with Ability Enterprises Mission’ A social business proudly giving people a second chance through employment’.