Logan Eco Awards

The Logan Eco Awards aim to recognise and reward those in the community that are taking the lead in making Logan a more environmentally sustainable City.

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2013 Logan Eco Awards:

Sustainable Household Award - Winner: The McVicker Household

More than just focussing on conservation, the design, construction, and operation of the McVicker's family home allows for the maximisation of electricity generation and rainwater harvesting. The house includes:

- A solar passive design that allows the home to stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter;
- Extensive use of cross-flow louvers and large openable windows minimising air conditioning requirements;
- An innovative roof cavity heat expulsion system;
- An innovative roof drainage system and large tanks allowing 100% water self-sufficiency;
- Extensive use of natural lighting and LED technology;
- Extensive electricity and water monitoring equipment;
- Extensive use of off-peak tariffs; and
- Solar hot water and a 3kW PV system.

Other features, too many to list, have also been incorporated. The home will be open for inspection as part of Sustainable House Day on 8th September 2013. Please refer to Sustainable House Day in the lead up to the Day for details.

Community Eco Action Award - Winner 1: Patricia Ferguson

Over the past eight years Patricia Ferguson has invested countless hours into a range of environmental endeavours, including active membership of Birdlife Brisbane and as a Bushcare Team Leader. She has:

- Undertaken bird surveys with the results incorporated into Council's biodiversity database;
- Hosted a stall at LEAF, and led bird watching walks;
- Taken part in National Tree Day; and
- Lead the Moffatt Park Bushcare Group since 2006.

Patricia is a champion of the environment in Logan.

Community Eco Action Award - Winner 2: Lyn Buffett

Lyn Buffett established the Logan Food Gardeners (LFG) in August 2011. Under her guidance the group now has 300 on-line members. She has:

- Created the interactive LFG website, which uses social media tools to connect the community and facilitate the sharing of information between members regarding local gardening issues;
- Organised regular events including monthly garden visits to member’s gardens, local community gardens, and gardens of interest;
- Created fliers, banners, seed packets, emails, media releases, and posters to promote LFG;
- Given presentations on gardening in the Logan Libraries; and she has
- Hosted stalls at events including LEAF, Eco-fest at Mt Warren Park, and the Beenleigh Spring Festival.

To learn more, and to become a participant in the Logan Food Gardeners community, simply visit Logan Food Gardners Inc.

Conservation Partner Award - Winner: John Reed

John Reed has been an active member of the Land for Wildlife Program since 2005, and has recently been the recipient of an EnviroGrant. He has:

- Removed thirty Cadaghi trees (a pest species) from his block;
- Revegetated around 25% of his block by hand planting over 1,000 seedlings, some of which he propagated himself;
- Begun installing fencing to reduce the area that stock can access; and he
- Has been an active promoter of Council's Conservation Incentives Program to other Logan landholders.

Of the 200+ Conservation Partners in Logan, John is a leading participant.

Sustainable School Award - Winner: Boronia Heights State School

Since becoming an Earth Smart School in 2010, sustainability has been embedded into the day-to-day operations of the school. Under the leadership of teacher Lisa Maloney and a dedicated team of teachers and staff, students have:

- Reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by around 50%;
- Managed worm farms;
- Helped to construct garden beds, which they now plant, weed, and harvest food from;
- Planted over 150 species to create a bush tucker garden;
- Performed awesome 'eco-raps' at LEAF; and
- The Year 6 students attend a three day camp focussing on environmental leadership.

Boronia Heights State School and its team of Class Eco Captains, Power Rangers, Earth Keepers, and Green Thumbs are helping to make Logan a more sustainable place, both now and into the future.

Sustainable Business - Winner: Bristol Paints

Bristol Paints of Underwood have recently implemented a number of eco-efficiency steps, thereby helping the environment, and cutting their operational costs. They:

- Have installed a 25 kW solar PV system (102 panels);
- Source all additional grid supplied electricity from renewable sources;
- Utilise natural breezes and ceiling fans to minimise the need for air conditioning;
- Have a store wide recycling program allowing all polystyrene, shrink-wrap, paper, plastic, card board, glass, and aluminium to be recycled;
- Sell low VOC paints; and
- Collect waste water which is treated and disposed of by a regulated contractor.

Bristol Paints are illustrating how small and medium sized businesses can operate in a more environmentally sustainable manner, while simultaneously reducing their operating costs.

Sustainable Food Business - Winner: Snap Fresh

Snap Fresh are a Qantas owned subsidiary based at Crestmead that produce frozen meals for the airline industry. They have successfully:

- Reduced their mains water consumption by 39% through capture, reuse, and redirection of water;
- Reduced their electricity consumption by 13% through the use of energy efficient lighting, variable speed drives, and efficient rationalisation of equipment;
- Reduced their gas consumption by 25%; and they have
- Reduced the waste they send to landfill by an incredible 70% through increased recycling and an industry leading food waste composting program.

Through all of these steps, they have cut their operating costs by an amazing $242,000 a year.

Snap Fresh are leaders in eco-efficiency and waste minimisation not just across Logan, but Queensland.

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2013 Logan Eco Awards.

The winners will be presented with a hard wood plaque made by local artist Steve Whitby using recycling timbers at the Logan Eco Action Festival.

Previous winners

2012 Logan Eco Awards