South East Queensland’s most innovative and hardworking environment champions will vie for the $10,000 Minister’s Grand Prize after being named finalists for the 2018 Healthy Land & Water Awards.

Now in their 18th year, the annual Healthy Land & Water Awards recognise and celebrate the people and groups working to improve and protect South East Queensland’s environment.

South East Queensland's most innovative and hardworking environment champions will vie for the $10,000 Minister's Grand Prize after being named finalists for the 2018 Healthy Land & Water Awards. 

With projects ranging from the creation of a nature refuge at Purga, surveying marine debris on the Sunshine Coast, or using fire to manage North Stradbroke Island, the finalists represent the remarkable passion and expertise in the community for environmental management.

In 2018, 27 finalists are competing across 10 categories including Youth Environment Champion, Environmental Guardians, and Sustainable Education Awards.

The winners will be announced at the prestigious 2018 Healthy Land & Water Awards Gala Dinner at Brisbane City Hall on 27 July.

One lucky category winner will also take home the prestigious $10,000 Minister’s Grand Prize, sponsored by the Department of Environment and Science.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science, The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP (pictured), congratulated the finalists of the 2018 Healthy Land & Water Awards.

“As custodians of Queensland’s landscapes and waterways, the Department of Environment and Science is proud to support the Minister’s Grand Prize – an award given to the most outstanding category winner for their valuable work in protecting, repairing, and restoring the natural environment,” she said.

Healthy Land & Water CEO Julie McLellan congratulated the 2018 finalists and said they are inspirational environmental leaders at a time when our region needs them most.

“It is heart-warming to witness the passion in the community for our environment and the selfless dedication so many people have for protecting our remarkable part of the world,” she said.

“Given there is so much focus on the issues facing our environment, it is important we celebrate the people helping to make South East Queensland a greener, cleaner, and healthier place to live so they can inspire more people to take action.”

In addition, one person will be inducted into the Healthy Land & Water Awards’ Hall of Fame for their long service to South East Queensland’s environment.

The 2018 Awards Gala Dinner is open to the public. Attendees will enjoy drinks and canapes under the stars in King George Square and then a three-course meal beneath the backdrop of the iconic Brisbane City Hall auditorium.