EPA awards recognise Queensland 's top business innovators

Tuesday 22 May 2007

Seven outstanding Queensland environmental business projects have been honoured at the second annual Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards.

An eighth awardee received the inaugural Premier's Award for Leadership in Business Sustainability.

Several world-first water, energy, and greenhouse gas-abating initiatives and projects, including fibre optic lighting and ground-breaking sustainable building designs, featured in the awards, according to Premier Peter Beattie.

"The awards recognise Queensland-based companies that are incorporating environmental sustainability into their everyday business operations," says Beattie.

"Collectively, these companies are significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a reduction in their waste production, and energy and water use, which is crucial in a changing climate and during the worst drought in 100 years."

The Chair of Conics Limited and adjunct professor of Built Environment at QUT, Jim McKnoulty, received the Premier's Award for Leadership in Business Sustainability.

"Over the past 25 years, Mr McKnoulty has worked to forge partnerships between industry, government and the community to foster sustainable urban planning and development across Queensland ," says Beattie.

The 2007 EPA Sustainable Industries Awards ceremony was held in partnership with the 8th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development.

2007 EPA Sustainable Industries Awards winners :

- Minister's Award for ClimateSmart Leadership - SALA Homes
- Corporate Sustainability Award - Investa Property Group
- Industrial Eco-efficiency Award - IKEA, Logan
- Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Award- Poly Optics Australia Pty Ltd
- Rural Sustainability Award - Lawrence Bugeja (Mackay Canegrowers)
- Sustainability in Public Sector or Community Initiatives Award - City of Thuringowa
- Sustainability in Urban Development or the Built Environment Award - Mirvac (Orion Springfield)