Many Central Australian communities and regional councils have won awards in the 2016 Northern Territory Tidiest Town Award ceremony, held recently in Darwin.
The overall winner was the Central Australian township of Areyonga which won the 2016 Northern Territory Tidiest Town Award.
Keep Australia Beautiful Council (NT) CEO, Heimo Schober, said that Areyonga residents have embraced the Territory Tidy Towns program this year, with many in the community working together to win this prestigious Award.
“The township’s strong culture of continuous improvement and community participation helped the MacDonnell community lead the competition,” said Mr Schober.
“MacDonnell Council Staff, the Traditional Owners and the residents of Areyonga all deserve this win for their dedication and hard work over the past 12 months to ensure that theirs is the Territory’s Tidiest Town.
“Areyonga is the stand-out township this year in keeping their community tidy and beautiful.
“In particular, the township of Areyonga demonstrated great community pride and leadership in local sustainability practices and education, and set a wonderful example for other remote townships to follow.
“I also congratulate the MacDonnell Regional Council for their support in helping Areyonga win this Award.
“Indeed, the MacDonnell Regional Council has won many of categories within the 2016 Territory Tidy Town Awards.”
As the Territory’s 2016 Tidiest Town, Areyonga will represent the Northern Territory at the Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Tidy Towns Awards in Tasmania next year.
Areyonga officially became the ‘Territory’s Tidiest Town’ and is now the Territory’s Finalist after winning the overall NT Award as well as receiving the Category Award for ‘Best Medium Territory Tidy Towns Community’.
The Territory Tidy Towns Awards program recognises and acknowledges the hard work undertaken by remote and regional community groups, schools, individuals, businesses and Councils, and showcases innovative ideas and initiatives that improve social and environmental development and sustainability in regional areas.
Keep Australia Beautiful Council (NT) – Territory Tidy Towns Awards 2016 Results Table
| Category | Winner |
| Overall Winner/ National Finalist | Areyonga (MacDonnell Regional Council) |
| Community Citizen | Justin Colley (Santa Teresa) |
| Best Outstation | Old Mission (Wadeye) |
| Best Small Community | Gunyangara (East Arnhem Regional Council) |
| Best Medium Community | Areyonga (MacDonnell Regional Council) |
| Best Large Community | Nhulunbuy (Nhulunbuy Corporation Ltd) |
| Best Regional Council | MacDonnell Regional Council |
| ‘Dame Phyllis Frost’ Litter Control & Prevention | Daguragu (North)
Areyonga (South) |
| Waste Management | Jabiru |
| Community Participation | Daguragu (North)
Santa Teresa (South) |
| Resource Recovery Management | Jabiru (West Arnhem Regional Council)
10th Consecutive year |
| Environmental Innovation | 3 D Printing (Plastic Fantastic)
Ramingining, Milingimbi & ALPA (Arnhem Land Progress Association) |
| Water Conservation | Yuendumu (Central Desert Regional Council) |
| Heritage & Culture | Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Waters) Seasonal Calendar (Violet Lawson and CSIRO) |
| Mobile Muster | West Arnhem Regional Council |
| BE CROCWISE | Humpty Doo Primary School All Stars Special Centre |
| Best Territory Tidy Town School | Ltyentye Apurte Catholic Education Centre |
| Clean Green Healthy School | Nightcliff Primary School |
| Geoff Finch Memorial Cup
(Encouragement Award) |
Santa Teresa (MacDonnell Regional Council) |
| ‘4 Gold Star’
Tidy Towns Accreditation |
Barunga, Nhulunbuy |