Sustainability awards irk Cockburn activist

by Tonya Lamatoa

May 14, 2008

COCKBURN council’s “A Better Tomorrow” sustainability awards are a propaganda exercise, says former mayoral candidate Mary Jenkins.

“Cockburn Council all of a sudden trying to become green,” Ms Jenkins said. “What a load of crap.”

Mr Johnston, a former news weatherman, launched the awards with Mayor Stephen Lee, and CEO Stephen Cain, at Cockburn Gateway Shopping Centre on May 13.

The city is offering a chance for schools, businesses, community groups and individuals to win a share of $14,000 in prizes for their sustainability project.

All participants will have the chance to win the major sustainability award worth $5,000, and attend a gala celebration in November where awards will be announced.

Mayor Lee said the awards were an initiative that would “identify the revered people in the community that are taking action”.

However, Ms Jenkins later said the council was “only looking at the soft issues”.

 “The real issues are air pollution and our water quality,” she said.

For more info on the awards, call 9411 3444.