Environment and Community Excellence Awards 2009

The 2009 Excellence Awards were presented by NSW Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally on the 14 September at the Environment and Community Conference in Wollongong.

An independent panel of judges decided on the winners:

Winner: Barrick Cowal Gold Mine
Barrick Cowal and Lake Cowal Foundation – Forging Community Sustainability

Barrick collaborated with more than 100 partners including environmental groups, government and land holders to deliver $8.77 million worth of environmental and educational projects for the community.


Left to Right: The Hon Kristina Keneally MP – Minister for Planning,
Richard Savage – Barrick Cowal Gold Mine, Dr Nikki Williams – NSW Minerals Council

Highly Commended and People’s Choice: Xstrata Coal NSW (Ravensworth Operations)
Practical Rehabilitation Methods for Woodland Ecosystem Restoration 

Xstrata reconstructed habitats for endangered fauna using creative methods such as recreating bat caves with PVC pipes and replacing old hollow trees to create habitat for native fauna.

Left to Right: The Hon Kristina Keneally MP, Andrew Wright
Xstrata Coal NSW – Ravensworth Operations

Highly Commended: Northparkes Mines
A Holistic Approach to Land Management

Northparkes employed a Farm Manager to trial new conservation farming techniques on mine-owned land and shared the results with the local community.

Left to Right: Geoff McCallum - Northparkes Mines, The Hon Kristina Keneally MP,
Renee Morphett – Northparkes Mines

Relevant Link

2009 Environment and Community Conference Excellence Awards Winners- media release