City wins green crown

IPSWICH has been named Queensland's most sustainable city with an award judged by Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB).

KAB Queensland chief executive Rick Burnett said Ipswich and surrounds was the outstanding entry among competing cities.

"It is offered to communities over 70,000 population so it's a fairly exclusive series of awards," Mr Burnett said.

"Councils submit projects that best fit the criteria of the awards."

Projects include:

Minimising and managing waste and litter;

Encouraging sustainable development and design;

Encouraging community pride;

Developing partnerships between communities and local government;

Encouraging water conservation.

"In Ipswich, not only have they shown a commitment to these environmental objectives, they've been able to maintain that commitment over and above the terrible damage from the floods.

"What it illustrated was that not only is the council overcoming the damage but it's been able to fast-track some of its newer thinking in the rebuilding."

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said the award proved that development and the environment can go hand in hand.

"We are a city that encourages development, but not at the expense of sustainability and the environment," Cr Pisasale said.

"To win this award in the fastest-growing area of Queensland is a credit to everyone. The development industry has worked hard with council. Look at Springfield, the Ripley Valley, our city centre. It's all about sustainability."

Ipswich, which also won the state award in 2009, will now be judged in the National Sustainable Cities Awards due to be assessed later this month.