Decision time for Riverprize applicants

Landcare entrants for the 2012 Riverprize will soon have to decide whether to apply for the Australian Riverprize or the Thiess International Riverprize.

The Australian Riverprize and the Thiess International Riverprize are awarded by the International RiverFoundation each year for excellence in river basin management. Australian applicants are eligible to apply for either award, but they can only enter one category each year. Landcare applicants have been successful at winning both the Australian and International Riverprizes in recognition of the innovative and collaborative nature of the Landcare approach.

“Since 1999 the Thiess International Riverprize and the Australian Riverprize winners have often been exemplars for the value of Landcare networks, helping set the standard of best practice for others to follow” says Matthew Reddy, IRF CEO.

Wayne Cameron from the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating committee stated that “entering the Australian Riverprize was a great opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements and winning in 2005 enabled us to initiate twinning partnerships, both in Australia and overseas.”

The Thiess International Riverprize is typically attracts a number of high calibre applicants from both Australia and abroad, and is the world’s most prestigious award for river basin management.

The Australian Riverprize is open to domestic entrants only and is funded by the Australian Government’s Water Smart Australia program, under the Water for the Future initiative.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator Don Farrell, encouraged individuals and organisations engaged in best practice river and catchment management across Australia to apply.

“The Australian Riverprize is a valuable opportunity for national leaders in this field to be formally recognised for excellence in program delivery, inclusiveness, public accountability and innovation,” Senator Farrell said.

“The prize also promotes awareness of river management and facilitates networking between
organisations across Australia.”

In 2011, the Australian prize was awarded to the Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative, and the International prize went to the Charles River, USA, with Melbourne’s Yarra River receiving a highly commended award.

This year, a new, simpler application process has been implemented which is comprised of two stages. This makes it easier for all organisations to apply in the first instance. A shortlist will then be announced, and those listed will be asked to provide more comprehensive information about their project.

The Australian judging panel for 2012 has been confirmed and will continue to be led by Ms Leith Boully, Chairman of Healthy Waterways.

“As Chair of the judging panel for the Australian Riverprize and a participant on the international judging panel we have seen the standard of applications rise annually. While it makes it difficult for nominees to decide which prize to enter it is exciting to see Australian nominations on a par with the international contenders” said Leith.

“The message is that you have to be in it to win it and the first step is the easy stage one application” Reddy says.

The winners of the 2012 Riverprizes will be announced at the 15th International Riversymposium, which will be held in Melbourne on 8‐11 October 2012.

Visit www.riverfoundation.org.au/ for more information.