By JESSE GRAHAM
UPDATE: Friday, 30 October
THE YARRA Valley took on competitors from around the state and came out on top, with the conference centre winning one of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
Dixons Creek’s Yarra Valley Estate was named as the winner of the Small and Medium Enterprises section of the annual awards on Thursday 29 October.
Yarra Valley Estate was nominated as a finalist alongside Roses Gap Power Project and Dennison Foods Manufacturing for the award, though general manager Katrina Reynolds said the business was “honoured” just to be in the group.
“It’s a highly competitive category,” Ms Reynolds said.
“We’re honoured, and this is recognition of all the work we’ve been doing.”
She said the business was working towards zero-waste on site, with composting, a worm farm, and an “edible forest” project underway.
“It’s a one-acre area that we’ve had designed by another sustainable gardener,” she said.
“It’s just going to be layers of edible produce, everything from trees down to shrubs and grasses – some of the leaves will taste like mushrooms and go in a salad.”
The site of the conference centre was a former deer park, devoid of trees and shrubs, according to Ms Reynolds, who said the centre had environmental policies in place.
“We don’t use any chemicals on site, we turn off all of our lights, electricity and power when not in use,” she said.
“We don’t have waste baskets under any of the desks – there are waste areas you have to walk to, so you have to think about what you do with your waste.
“We’ve always brought items in and tried to upcycle, recycle and repurpose – that’s always been the vision.”
Paying tribute to the estate’s owners, John and Louise Ward, Ms Reynolds recommended that other businesses take the effort to bring in low-waste and low-consumption policies.
Sustainability CEO Stan Krpan said the awards represented Victoria’s “highest recognition” for sustainability.
“Delivering these awards each year means we continue to discover the passion and talent Victorians have for protecting their natural environment and thinking creatively about new sustainable practices,” he said.
For more information, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au.
