Golden Gecko awards now open

Department of Industry and Resources Director General Jim Limerick has called for nominations for the Golden Gecko Awards, rewarding leadership in responsible resource development.

The full text of a government announcement is pasted below

Nominations are open for Western Australia's most prestigious resource industry environmental accolade, the Golden Gecko Awards.

The awards, now in their 16th year, have helped improve environmental standards within the State's petroleum and mineral industries.

Nominations for the awards, which are organised by the Department of Industry and Resources, must be received by Friday 16 March, 2007.

Department of Industry and Resources Director General Jim Limerick said companies were continuing to improve environmental standards despite pressure for increased production caused by the resources boom.

Dr Limerick said a Golden Gecko recognised the commitment of a company or individual far beyond basic compliance with environmental regulation.

"A Golden Gecko Award helps build an organisation's reputation as a good corporate citizen with a responsible attitude to the environment," he said.

"The awards provide an opportunity to pass knowledge on to others, helping improve environmental management across the industry.

"By recognising advances and innovations in environmental practice by the mineral and petroleum industries, the department seeks to encourage continuous improvement throughout resources sector."

Between April and June an assessment panel will access each nomination, inspect the site or operation and provide a detailed report to the selection committee.

The selection committee for 2007 will include Dr Limerick, Rangeland Ecologist David Wilcox and former Environmental Protection Authority Chairman Bernard Bowen.

The committee will assess each nomination and review the assessment panel's comments during July and August.
Dr Limerick said submissions should include enough detail for the assessment panel and selection committee to assess the nomination on its merits.

The nomination should contain a brief description of the project's challenge, an explanation of the environmental issues, how the issues were addressed and results of the actions taken to achieve environmental excellence.

More information about the awards and nomination tips can be found on the department's website.