A group of Lithgow Tidy Towns representatives travelled to the awards night, hosted by 2017 winner Orange City Council, at the Orange Ex-Services Club on Saturday, November 10.

Lithgow was crowned winner of one ‘sustainable projects’ category and the NSW Overall Award.

“This was our most significant award for Lithgow in the population category D of 12,001 to 20,000,” Sue Graves, chairperson of Lithgow Tidy Towns, said.

Lithgow submitted four entries in the 'sustainability’ category and was named the winner for the Clarence Transfer Scheme, a partnership between Clarence Colliery and Lithgow City Council.

The scheme enabled the transfer of the colliery’s excess water to Lithgow Council’s water storage for topping up the water supply to residents during the drought period. 

“Clarence helped us get through the drought period from October last year to August this year with over 800 mega litres of water,” Mrs Graves said.

The other three entries in the ‘sustainable’ category received highly commended awards.

“We won five awards, and what this does is put Lithgow up with the best, it’s very positive,” Mrs Graves said.

The Blast Furnace Park was recognised in the Heritage and Culture section for work carried out by Lithgow City Council to make the heritage site more accessible to those with disabilities.

Mayingwe Maragu – Blackfellows Hands was recognised in the Habitat and Wildlife Conservation category for the work done by Mingaan Aboriginal group.

“Special congratulations goes out to our local Aboriginal group who helped protect the Hands with fencing, steps and colourful signs to advise visitors about bush tucker and wildlife on the site,” Mrs Graves said.

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Lithgow Railway Workshop received highly commended for Renewable Energy.

The group restored a 1949 former diesel train into a solar powered passenger train.

The train was the first in the world in solar technology in a railway application and all work was carried out at the Lithgow Railway Workshop under the leadership of Tim Elderton.  

She said the town was recognised for a number of achievements and a special thanks went out to all those who contributed. 

“A big congratulations to the Lithgow community, the people of Lithgow should congratulate themselves on the things happening here.

“It takes a big effort to get these types of results, a lot of information from other people and hard work,” she said.

Mrs Graves said the Lithgow Tidy Towns committee were always about promoting the good things that took place in Lithgow and saying good things to people about Lithgow.

“We only promote the positive and this has led us to being recognised as a town with these significant awards,” she said.

She said Lithgow was right up there, with the best of the best.

“Lithgow has such a great community and is a wonderful place to live. We are so lucky,” she said.

Lithgow was up against the towns of Jerilderie, Murrundi, Tilligerry, Peninsula, Cessnock and Wagga Wagga.

Cessnock was awarded as the overall winner of the Tidiest Town in NSW. 

CEO of KABNSW Val Southam said the Tidy Towns program was about more than receiving or giving awards.

“It is a great opportunity for towns to showcase their achievements, share and learn with other communities,” Ms Southam said.

She also said the efforts were a great example of community spirit in the bush.

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