Categories and criteria

Recognises innovation and achievements in reducing and managing litter. Judges look for:

• Litter clean-up activities by the community and/or local government.
• Litter-awareness signs and/or education projects.
• Integration of litter management into a broader waste management strategy.
• Community/regional litter action to assist with preventative and education measures.
• Cigarette butt disposal facilities in public parks/areas.
  • Entrant example.  Dongara's Roadside Rubbish Relics

Recognises improvements to a community’s general appearance including; approaches, sporting areas, public parks and gardens, streets, including footpaths and verges. Judges look for:

• A tidy and well-maintained community, including parks and gardens, streets, footpaths and median strips.
• Projects that have enhanced a streetscape.
• Restoration of prominent buildings.
• Water wise road side planting.
  • Entrant example: Carnarvon's Beautiful Streets Project.

Recognises the achievements of a community in creating a healthy, vibrant place that has engaged groups across sectors. Judges look for:

• Sound working relationships between the community and local governments leading to successful outcomes. Includes town management strategies and development of facilities. 
• Involvement of youth groups, schools and clubs in positive community management activities.
• Fauna and flora protection and/or rehabilitation activities.
• Cultural heritage celebrations/projects.
• Provision for an accessible community, including picnic areas, playgrounds. toilets and carparks
• Sponsored by The Rural Aid Community Development Program, with $1,000 towards a professional development experience or conference including travel.  
   
  • Entrant example: Kununurra's Community Garden Kitchen

Recognises a community’s outstanding commitment to the conservation and celebration of a community’s indigenous or non-indigenous heritage and culture. Judges look for:

• Successful outcomes from community/government strategies/initiatives designed to address preservation of cultural or natural history buildings and sites. 
• Development and/or implementation of innovative, community-based strategic or business plans relating to historic or cultural preservation and/or restoration.
• Research into, the protection, and display, of culturally significant sites, records and artefacts. 
• ​Celebration, within and by the local community, of culturally significant events/traditions.
  • Entrant Example: Broome's year nine sustainable leaders program

Recognises achievement by an individual or group/s of young people (under 25) who have contributed to the sustainability of their own community across any category. Can be school or community based. Judges look for:

• Successful outcomes for the community arising from youth-initiated/led action. Including youth groups or committees.
• Demonstration of initiative, leadership and strength of character in taking action on behalf of a community.

Sponsored by Bank of I.D.E.A.S. The winner/s will receive $1000 prize for personal development, conference attendance or to run an event. 

        Entrant Example: Blayde Day, Tom Price Young Legend.

This Award is given to an individual (not a group), who has shown strong leadership in contributing to a more sustainable, engaged, and resilient regional or remote community. Entrants can be any member of the community including volunteers, local government employees, school, business or community resource centre staff. Judges look for:

• Demonstrated initiative to lead or coordinate a community project.
• Ability to motivate or guide others.
• Mentoring volunteers. 
• Encouraging broad community involvement.
• Advocating for positive change in their community.
• Shows clear, positive outcomes for the community e.g., improved environmental practice or community participation.

Sponsored by The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The winner will receive $1000 prize money.

Entrant example: Sue Rodgers, Northam

Recognises an outstanding initiative for its innovative environmental advocacy and or awareness program. Judges look for;

• Education initiatives/awareness programs on sustainability, the environment and conservation.
• Innovative approaches to environmental education.
• Environmental education leading to empowerment and behaviour change.
• Community, organisation, and or local government encouragement of, and involvement in, youth activities, particularly  environment and conservation activities.

Sponsored by WA Landcare Network. The winner will receive $500 towards a landcare project in their town (e.g. purchase of seedlings, an event, or signage for a landcare/environmental project).

• Entrant example: UR Walpole

It’s not about the number of containers collected or the amount fundraised - it’s about the meaningful impact and lasting outcomes created. Judges look for an initiative that has created positive impact in the community. The award is open to schools, local councils, businesses, organisations and individuals. Proudly sponsored by Containers for Change WA , (C4C) this award enables a community to be recognised for how their 10c container initiatives have positively benefited their community. The winner will receive $500 in prize money, while finalists will each receive $300 in C4C store vouchers.

• Entrant example: York's Community Containers for Change project

Recognises innovation and achievements in reducing and managing waste. Judges look for:

• Adequate, accessible, visible litter and recycling bins in high traffic areas and public parks/areas.
• Recovery and re-use of resources such as organics, green materials, glass, paper, cardboard, aluminium and plastic.
• Innovative use of recovered resources, (e.g. composting).
• Integration of resource recovery, circular activities, recycling and waste management activities into a broader waste management strategy.
• Recycling education and awareness programs, literature and/or signage by local government, schools and/or community groups.
  • Entrant Example: Broome - Waste management and resource recovery

Recognises achievements in adaptation to environmental change. A project on water use, energy efficiency and climate adaptation or the preservation of the local natural environment. Judges look for:

Water - Innovative design in water management or waste water re-use.

Energy/climate adaptation- Sustainable energy management focusing on energy efficiency measures. Programs which encourage community involvement in strategies focussing on renewable energy and climate change issues. 

Nature conservation - Strategies focusing on environmental protection. Examples include wildlife corridors, feral animal management plans, weed eradication or addressing salinity and soil erosion.

• Entrant example: Moora - Moore Catchment Council

Communities who meet the eligiblity of six or more categories entered will be assessed by judges and the state judging panel.  

Previous state winners can be found here by viewing Snapshots publications. Read all about what made the communities get crowned state winner.