26 November 2021
Public parks, gardens and green spaces across Australia have again been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award.
Seven winners from four States were announced today, including: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Chris Boulton – Green Flag Award Co-ordinator for Australia said:
“It’s great to see some of our favourite parks and green spaces in Australia receiving international recognition and benefiting from the Award. The criteria aligns nicely with our agenda of tackling climate change, reducing environmental impact and working more closely with communities – and is why we think it’s so beneficial to park managers.”
The Green Flag Award is managed internationally by Keep Britain Tidy and a network of partners who deliver the program nationally - including Parks and Leisure Australia.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Award. Originating in England in 1996 – winners now fly Green Flag Award flags over more than 2,000 parks and green spaces in 16 countries around the world.
In Queensland, City Parkland Services again achieved two awards for the much-loved Roma Street Parkland, as well as Brisbane’s popular South Bank Parklands. Western Downs Regional Council also received the award for Chinchilla Botanic Parklands.
Image 1: Getting soaked at Chinchilla Botanic Gardens, Western Downs Regional Council
In New South Wales, Queanbeyan-Palerang Council again impressed the judges with Queen Elizabeth II Park and Queanbeyan Park.
Image 2: Adventurers hit the water at Queen Elizabeth II Park, Queanbeyan, New south Wales
Lochiel Park is a nation-leading 'green village' developed as a practical demonstration of the South Australian Government's vision for sustainable living. It exemplifies South Australia's Strategic Plan objective of 'Attaining Sustainability' by demonstrating that well-planned contemporary living can reduce ecological and carbon footprints while creating a sense of place in harmony with nature.
Image 3: Access to nature is just one of the benefits at Lochiel Park, Campbelltown, South Australia
A full list of the winners and a global map can be found on the homepage of the Green Flag Award website: www.greenflagaward.org
Carl McClean - International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award said:
“Well done to everyone who has achieved a Green Flag Award this year. It’s testament to the hard work of the staff, management and volunteers who kept parks and green spaces going through challenging times and made them such important places every year – and especially so through the coronavirus pandemic.”
Earlier in the year Finland celebrated 10 Awards, and the UK – where the Award program originated - an impressive 2,127.
It is expected that when New Zealand announces their winners later in the year, the total number of global Green Flag Award winners will exceed 2,300 in 2021.
The involvement of France brings the total number of countries where Green Flag Award is delivered to 16 – firmly establishing it as the most widely recognised accreditation programme for parks and green spaces in the world.
Current country figures are included below, some of which reflect last year’s figures where 2021 results are still to be announced:
|
No. |
Country |
Total |
Notes |
|
1 |
Australia |
7 |
|
|
2 |
Belgium |
8 |
|
|
3 |
Finland |
10 |
|
|
4 |
France |
3 |
|
|
5 |
Germany |
2 |
|
|
6 |
Mexico |
2 |
|
|
7 |
Netherlands |
2 |
|
|
8 |
New Zealand |
24 |
2020 figure |
|
9 |
Portugal |
5 |
|
|
10 |
Republic of Ireland |
103 |
|
|
11 |
Spain |
5 |
|
|
12 |
Sweden |
2 |
|
|
13 |
Turkey |
3 |
|
|
14 |
United Arab Emirates |
6 |
|
|
15 |
United Kingdom |
2,127 |
|
|
16 |
United States of America |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
2,310 |
|
The Green Flag Award® is a non-profit international accreditation programme that recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces. Today the Green Flag Award proudly flies above more than 2,000 places in 16 countries around the world.
To find out more in general, or apply for an Award, whichever country you are based in; please feel free to explore our website and get in touch.
If you know of a park or a country not yet involved in the Green Flag Award that might be interested, please Contact Us
