15 February 2016
Eleven parks and green spaces have been awarded the coveted
Green Flag Award in Australia and New Zealand. It is the Green Flag
Award's 20thanniversary this year and these are the
first awards to be announced for this special occasion.
Today, the Green Flag Award Scheme has unveiled this year's
Award winners in Australia and New Zealand. The Green Flag Award is
the international mark of a quality park or green space.
In total, seven parks in Australia and four in New Zealand, have
met the high standards required to be awarded the Green Flag
Award.
Amongst this year's recipients of the Award is Pirrama Park in
Sydney who have won the award for the first time.
The Green Flag Award Scheme was launched in England in 1996,
with the first awards presented in 1997. Today's winners join over
1600 Green Flag Awards across the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany,
The Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.
The Green Flag Award is judged by green space experts, who
volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them
against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards,
cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.
Ingrid Sieler of Green Flag Award Australia & New Zealand
said:
"We know the significant contribution that public parks make to
healthy lifestyles. Ensuring everyone, wherever they live, has
access to quality parks and green spaces is so important.
"Achieving a Green Flag Award not only demonstrates that the
park is of a high standard but that it meets the many needs of the
local community. The winning parks provide wonderful opportunities
for families to get outside and be active, meet with friends or
participate in neighbourhood events."
International Green Flag Award Scheme manager, Paul Todd
said:
"We are delighted to be celebrating winners in Australia and New
Zealand for the schemes 20th anniversary, it is fantastic that the
Award expands to more countries every year. All the flags flying
this year are a testament to the efforts of both staff and
volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards
demanded by the Green Flag Award."