New Plymouth District a Finalist for World Award

New Plymouth District has been shortlisted as a finalist in the International Awards for Liveable Communities.

Also on the same shortlist are cities from Canada, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland, England, Poland and China, with a total of nine cities in the running to receive the Whole City Award 2008.

In addition, the city’s Coastal Walkway has been recognised by being shortlisted for the Environmentally Sustainable Project Award 2008.

“Basically this says that out of all the countries in the world, New Plymouth District is one of just nine cities that could receive the ultimate accolade as the best place to live,” says Mayor Peter Tennent.

“The people who live and work here already think this part of New Zealand is pretty special, but now we have an independent panel of international judges who have looked at what we’ve got and noticed that something pretty outstanding is happening here.”

New Plymouth District’s award category is for cities with a population between 20,001 and 75,000 people. There are five Whole City Award categories for different population sizes.

The LivCom Awards, which were launched in 1997, are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme and are the world’s only awards that focus on best practice regarding the management of the local environment. The awards aim to improve people’s quality of life through the creation of ‘liveable communities’.

Whole of City finalists have been judged on six categories: Enhancement of the landscape, heritage management, environmentally sensitive practices, community sustainability, healthy lifestyles and planning for the future.

The Environmentally Sustainable Project Award recognises innovative projects that demonstrate sustainability and environmental awareness, and encourages the maximum positive impact on the local environment.

There are 11 projects listed as finalists for this award, with the Coastal Walkway up against projects from England, Jordan, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Poland, Canada and Japan.

New Plymouth’s 7km-long Coastal Walkway runs almost the entire length of the city alongside the Tasman Sea, and will be extended about a further 4km northwards in 2009.

“Just to be a finalist in both these categories means greater awareness of what New Plymouth District and New Zealand have to offer in terms of a great lifestyle both now and in the future,” says Mayor Pete.

“If we win either or both of these awards, the benefits through worldwide public awareness could be huge.”

The Mayor, Chief Executive and General Manager Community Assets will make presentations to support New Plymouth District Council’s two entries at an official event in Dongguan, China in early November. The awards will be announced on Monday 10 November.