Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has officially presented a Business Conservation Champion Award to representatives from Crooked River Winery in Gerringong.
Mr Ward joined with Crooked River Winery Managing Director Mr Roger Lloyd and Sustainability manager Mr Joel Walsh (PhD).
“I am extremely pleased to acknowledge Crooked River Winery on its dedication to
biodiversity, its commitment to environmental tourism activities and increasing its
overall environmental sustainability practices and reducing landfill which is critical,”
Mr Ward said.
“We really appreciate our local Member Gareth Ward being here today and to
receive this Business Conservation Champion Award, this is really appreciated
and is a valuable acknowledgement of the work we are doing here,” Mr Lloyd said.
A few examples of Crooked River Winery’s 2023-2024 conservation and sustainability successes include:
- Land for Wildlife certification;
- Development of Landcare Illawarra, WIRES and Gerringong Lions Club
partnerships; - Allocation of a 10-ha biodiversity area to protect a critically endangered
ecological community – Illawarra-Shoalhaven Subtropical Rainforest
vegetation community; - Community environmental tourism activities – current Nature Walk Tour cohosted with Landcare Illawarra;
- Planting of ~2000-2500 trees through NSW Local Land Services projects
- Switch to 100% carbon offset energy provider, along with onsite solar usage
for winery operations; - Supporting the community through sponsorship of the Gerringong Surf Club;
- Improved waste segregation and recycling capabilities that minimise landfill
contribution; and - Improved sustainability reporting processes.
“In many respects, Crooked River Winery in now an industry leader with its
increased commitments towards biodiversity and environmental sustainability and a shining example of how other local tourism and hospitality businesses across our region can in fact increase their initiatives and programs,” Mr Ward concluded.
