FOLLOWING its Tidy Town success in 2024, Bellingen Shire Council has again been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2026 Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards.
Four local projects have been recognised across four individual categories, and Bellingen has also been named as a finalist for the 2026 Overall Award.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr Steve Allan, said that it was an honour to have the Bellingen Shire represented again in the Tidy Towns awards, a program known for celebrating the project, people and communities in Regional NSW.
“Our new town entry signs, the Connell Park redevelopment project, Council’s Climate Emergency Response, and our 2026 Seniors Festival celebration, Live Life in Colour! have all been nominated as finalists in their categories,” said Mayor Allan.
“If Bellingen is successful in winning the 2026 Overall Award, then Bellingen Shire will have the opportunity to host the Tidy Towns Awards in 2027.
“This is strong recognition of the work delivered across Council and the community over the past 12 months. Big thanks to the staff involved in preparing the submissions and delivering the projects recognised by these nominations.”
The Tidy Town awards are part of the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW organisation, which works to reduce litter and encourage people to take care of their local environment.
The program has been running since 1981, celebrating and recognising projects that reduce litter, minimise waste, encourage recycling, protect heritage, culture, biodiversity, and waterways, and foster community spirit and environmental responsibility.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Mark Griffioen, said that it was only two years ago that Bellingen Shire Council took home six awards at the 2024 Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards.
“This tidy town cleaned up big in 2024, and while the competition is fierce across NSW, the Bellingen Shire community vision of Connected, Sustainable and Creative perfectly matches the ethos of the Tidy Towns awards,” said Mark Griffioen.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved and continue to achieve as a small community that loves and appreciates where they live and works hard to leave it just a little bit better than we found it.”
The annual Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards weekend provides an opportunity to celebrate these achievements while bringing communities together to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration.
On 16-18 October 2026, the event will be hosted by Orange City, following its success as the 2025 Overall Winner.
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