Hessequa Municipality was adjudged the winner of The National Arbor City Award Competition 2015. The awards event took place in Durban Botanic Gardens on 3 September 2015, during the launch of Arbor Week. The Executive Mayor Emor Nel and Head of Parks Mr. Andre Hansen attended this elite function hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in association with the Institute of Environment and Recreation Management and Total SA.
The main objective of the competition is to encourage Local and Metro Municipalities to undertake greening initiatives in their area and ensure environmental conservation and development.
Hessequa Municipality’s green vision is to create a space where everyone share equally in the wealth of the natural resources through innovative and sustainable management and to ensure basic needs are met without harm to the environment.
Municipal Manager Mr. Johan Jacobs said: “We are delighted as the award was preceded by hard work and the diligent management of activities and projects. The prize money will be ploughed back into projects to maintain Hessequa Municipality’s status as a first prize winner in the Local Municipality Category.”
Hessequa Municipality submitted the following portfolio of evidence for the judging criteria:
– Tree policy and strategy
– Protection of existing trees
– Special projects and clearing of alien vegetation
– Tuin op die Brak
– Uitwijkdam
– Heidelberg Entrance
– Planting of trees
– #100 000 Trees Campaign
– Greenest Municipality Competition, 2nd prize winner
– Tree Awareness and education
For more information on the above mentioned projects, please visit www.100000trees.co.za