Wednesday 21st of October 2026 Latest Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: Finalists announced for 2026 Sustainable Cities Awards, recognising council and community sustainability achievements

Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KAB NSW) has announced the finalists for the 2026 Sustainable Cities Awards, recognising sustainability initiatives, innovation and environmental achievement across metropolitan NSW.

The awards highlight how councils are embedding sustainability into their operations, services and planning, alongside the contribution
s of businesses, schools, community organisations and individuals working to improve their local environments.
From reducing waste and preventing litter to protecting biodiversity, responding to climate change and strengthening community participation, the program recognises initiatives that deliver practical environmental and social benefits.

KAB NSW Chief Executive Officer Val Southam said the awards provide an opportunity to recognise achievement and share approaches that other councils and organisations can learn from.

“Councils play an important role in creating more sustainable cities, through the services they deliver, the places they manage and the partnerships they build,” Ms Southam said.

“These awards recognise that leadership, alongside the valuable work of schools, businesses, community organisations and individuals.

“They also give successful initiatives a wider audience, helping others learn from the ideas, experience and commitment behind them. We congratulate all of this year’s finalists and look forward to celebrating their achievements.”

Established in 1994, the Sustainable Cities Awards recognise a broad range of sustainability achievements, reflecting the connections between environmental protection, community wellbeing and the liveability of our cities.

Winners, including the recipient of the Overall Sustainable Cities Award, will be announced at the 2026 Sustainable Cities Awards Luncheon on Thursday 12 November at Hornsby RSL.

The awards luncheon will be preceded by a morning seminar, “Closing the Loop: FOGO, Soft Plastics and the Circular Economy”, providing an opportunity for councils and other organisations to share experiences and explore practical approaches to waste reduction and recycling.

The KAB NSW Sustainable Cities Awards Program and Event is made possible through the generous support of the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Red Energy and Hornsby Shire Council.

View the list of finalist projects at: https://www.kabnsw.org.au/finalists-announced-for-2026-sustainable-cities-awards-recognising-council-and-community-sustainability-achievements/

For more information about the awards please visit: https://www.kabnsw.org.au/awards/2026sustainablecitiesevent/

About Keep Australia Beautiful NSW

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EDITOR’S NOTE: About the KABNSW Sustainable Cities Awards Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Sustainable Cities Awards Program is a community and environmental awards program for metropolitan communities in NSW. Since 1994, projects that not only enhance the environment but also improve the standard of living and well-being of urban communities have been a hallmark of the activities recognised by these awards. The Sustainable Cities Awards inspire communities to make a genuine and lasting contribution to their area, with partnerships between local authorities, businesses, community groups, schools, and individuals. About KAB NSW Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KABNSW) is the state’s premier organisation for litter reduction and environmental sustainability. Independent and not-for-profit, our focus is to engage communities to make NSW the least littered state in Australia, transforming littering behaviour to create a beautiful and more sustainable environment. Over a 40-year history we have built a state-wide network of dedicated individuals, businesses, schools, community groups and government bodies striving to deliver a cleaner environment. Through five core programs we work with communities across regional, metropolitan, and coastal NSW to educate and motivate environmental initiatives.

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