With a population of 71,000, Launceston is renowned for its lifestyle-oriented focus, rich history, stunning natural scenery and rolling hills, top-notch education, and thriving, vibrant arts and events scene.

Launceston’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its innovative initiatives, strong community commitment, and impressive achievements across various categories. An emphasis on community engagement and partnerships is central to its success, demonstrating a deep-rooted community commitment.

Home energy audit toolkits, an excellent repair cafe, Recycle Hub, the Towards Zero Emissions Action Plan and Launceston City Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan are just a few examples of how Launceston is striving to be a leader in sustainability.

The city’s innovative approach to challenges, particularly in resource recovery and circular economy projects, also set it apart, with commitment to best practice and achievement of targets setting a standard for other Councils across Australia.

Launceston is focused on addressing climate change, reducing environmental degradation while working to achieve zero emissions and zero waste to landfill.

Overall, Launceston’s accomplishments in the 2025 Australian Tidy Towns competition demonstrate its dedication to best practices, community engagement, and fostering a sustainable and liveable environment for residents.

LAUNCESTON
Renowned for its rich history, stunning natural scenery and rolling hills.

STEP BACK IN TIME
Celebrating history and looking to the future.

FESTIVALS
Launceston celebrates its thriving, vibrant arts and events scene.

Care for Hedland’s Turtle Monitoring Program is a well-established community-based effort dedicated to the conservation and awareness of the nationally threatened Flatback turtle species (Natator depressus).

Since its inception in 2004, the program has been running annually from late October to late January and has successfully engaged over 100 volunteers. By participating in this program, community members and visitors have the unique opportunity to actively contribute to the conservation efforts for this endangered species.

The data gathered through this program has played a crucial role in informing local management decisions, particularly with respect to human-turtle interactions, lighting of surrounding infrastructure, impacts of fox predation, timing of dredging campaigns, management of recreational activities, and proposed new developments.

The community of Kingston is actively working to protect its vulnerable coastal environment from the effects of climate change and tourism.

The community has implemented a suite of innovative initiatives to save materials from landfill. With two notable programs being Kingston SE Small Steps and the Lions Club Seaside Thrift Store

Launched in 2019, Kingston SE Small Steps is tackling single-use plastics by repurposing fabric for shopping and produce bags, raising awareness about the environmental impact of disposable plastics.

The Kingston SE Lions Seaside Thrift Store is a thriving non-profit venture that resells donated materials and distributes excess items to other charitable organisations and schools, contributing to waste reduction and community support.

The Parkes Raw Water Storage Lagoon (RWSL) is an innovative solution to water security challenges intensified by climate change. This 20ML storage lagoon, strategically positioned above Parkes’ Water Treatment Plant, harnesses natural topography to ensure reliable, on-demand water supply for the community, industry and Council.

The RWSL enhances climate resilience by maintaining continuous water delivery during climate-related emergency utilities failure. It also reduces operational costs by enabling off-peak pumping, while solar arrays power daytime operations, effectively turning the lagoon into a ‘big battery’ for water storage. This sustainable approach strengthens water reliability, reduces emissions and futureproofs Parkes’ water supply.

Mechelle Cheers is a respected community leader in the coastal town of Rye, known for her dedication to the environment and community.

Mechelle has led numerous local initiatives, including the award-winning Rye Coastal Wetland project, Conserving Vulnerable Moonah Woodland in Rye restoration project, Rye – A Foreshore for All and Highlighting Bunurong Cultural Heritage in Rye as well as her role in establishing Rye Beach Patrol.

Mechelle’s partnerships with local schools are instrumental in connecting young people to their local environment and fostering stewardship of Rye’s natural environment, leaving a lasting impact.

Ikuntji Artists play an essential role in preserving and promoting Indigenous art, culture, and heritage. Dedicated to showcasing the rich artistic traditions of the community, Ikuntji Artists not only nurtures artistic expression but also creates vital economic opportunities within this remote community.

Through training, access to markets, and encouragement of artistic expression, Ikuntji Artists fosters strong community connections and secures the legacy of cultural practices.

Local artists, community leaders, and art industry partners play a vital role in these efforts. Future endeavours will focus on expanding into digital platforms and enhancing support programs for artists.

Spring Clean Rocherlea was a community-led initiative addressing illegal dumping and waste management challenges in Rocherlea. Many residents faced barriers to proper waste disposal, including cost, lack of transport, and awareness of services.

The Rocherlea Action Project (RAP), a collaborative community group, organised a community clean-up event and free BBQ, engaging volunteers and providing waste disposal support. Promotion was achieved through flyers, road signs, and word-of-mouth. Key stakeholders encompassed residents, community groups, local businesses, and the City of Launceston.

The initiative successfully removed difficult waste, increased awareness of disposal options, and strengthened community connections. Insights revealed that ongoing education and additional waste collection events would further amplify the long-term impact.

After the devastating Black Summer bushfire at Keilira in 2019/20, the community faced a lack of mental health, resilience, and preparedness resources.

To address this, the council initiated the Community Wellbeing & Participation Initiative, a grant-funded partnership with the Primary Health Network and Federal Government. Its objectives were to enhance community participation, preparedness education, and mental health support.

Originally an 18-month program, it was extended with additional funding through 2023 and beyond. Key outcomes include the employment of a part-time Community Development Officer, the delivery of low-cost or free activities and events, enhancing community preparedness for future fire events and an improvement to general health and wellbeing in the Kingston area.

The City of Launceston’s Water Efficiency Program was created to reduce water consumption and improve monitoring across council assets. By analysing billing data, installing dataloggers, and conducting on-site inspections, the program targeted leaks, inefficiencies, and outdated infrastructure.

Key stakeholders included City of Launceston and TasWater. The project successfully saved 215.8 kL of water per day, resulting in annual cost savings of $5,714 and boosting staff capacity.

The project identified the importance of faster leak detection and clearer asset mapping as valuable lessons learned. Future enhancements will prioritise expanded monitoring, infrastructure upgrades, and increased stakeholder engagement.

Indigenous artist and designer, Hayley Dodd’s contribution to Ikuntji Artists stemmed from her deep-rooted connection to her cultural heritage and her community.

Serving as a director of Ikuntji Artists from 2022 to 2023, she played a pivotal role in guiding the art centre’s initiatives. Hayley’s artistic work draws inspiration from her grandmother’s Country, notably the Dalhousie Hot Springs, which she has depicted in her paintings and textile designs.

Her designs have been showcased in various exhibitions, including the “Ikuntji Style” exhibition at Artisan in Brisbane. Additionally, Hayley has represented Ikuntji Artists on national platforms, modeling their designs at events such as the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week in 2023