Smithton cleans up tidy town honours

A HUMBLE town on Tasmania’s far North-West Coast has proven that community spirit and determination can go a long way.

Keep Australia Beautiful has announced Smithton as the overall winner of the 2018 Australian Tidy Towns Awards, held in South Australia last night.

Running nationally since 1990, the Australian Tidy Towns Awards encompass projects that focus on environmental sustainability and resource management.

They set out to recognise the hard work undertaken by individuals and groups in rural communities.

Smithton is situated at the start of the Tarkine wilderness area in the Circular Head municipality and shares stunning oceanic views with Stanley.

Dairy farming is a major contributor to the town’s local economy, producing economic flow-on effects from associated jobs in farm retail, support services and dairy manufacturing.

Australian Tidy Towns judge Gail Langley said Smithton was a deserved winner.

“Smithton is a highly driven community with determination to pinpoint and address issues,” she said.

“The parties involved with projects are highly motivated and demonstrate a sense of dedication to each other and to achieving their set goals.”

Smithton was also a joint winner in three categories, including Community Action and Wellbeing as well as Environmental Sustainability, and Young Legends.

It was also highly commended in the Heritage and Culture category.