NIASA nursery finalist in Savewater! awards

Dugine Native Plant Nursery in Queensland has been announced as a finalist in both the Built Environment & Gardens and Small Business categories of the National 2009 Savewater! awards®.

The Savewater! awards® have emerged as the leading water sustainability awards in Australia and are a way in which water saving stars can be recognised and applauded for their achievements.

Dugine Nursery & Revegetation Manager Erin Couper says she and the rest of the staff are over the moon about being placed in the finals. “We have put a lot of effort into getting the nursery to what it is today and this is validation of our hard work and effort.”

The independent judging process was headed by environmental consultant Rob Gell and saw an expert panel come together to determine this year’s winners and finalists.

“It is truly inspiring to see so many innovative initiatives being undertaken and it’s a credit to the various individuals, community groups, organisations and local governments. Each of this year’s finalists has demonstrated some significant environmental outcomes, which we as judges want to recognise,” Mr Gell says.

Dugine Native Plants Nursery is accredited under NIASA (Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia) and EcoHort and is currently undergoing an extension which involves the building of a constructed wetland using MUSIC (Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation).

Winners of the National 2009 Savewater! awards® will be announced at the awards Gala Ceremony on Friday October 9.

For more information on the National 2009 Savewater! awards® go to www.savewater.com.au