For the third year in a row, Bendigo's historic Rosalind Park has retained its prestigious Green Flag award recognising it as one of the best green spaces in Australia.
Rosalind Park is the only park in Victoria to receive a Green Flag in 2020. It is also one of only four parks outside of a capital city and one of only nine green spaces in Australia to have received a Green Flag this year.
City of Greater Bendigo Parks and Open Space Manager Paul Gangell said retaining a Green Flag for Rosalind Park is an achievement the community should be proud of.
"The City is both delighted and proud that our wonderful, historic Rosalind Park has been recognised in this way for the third straight year. The award is an excellent example of our achievement in providing quality open space for our residents," Mr Gangell said.
"Our third Green Flag reinforces the important work of staff and is consistent with the community's experience of Rosalind Park.
"The City was awarded its first Green Flag in 2018 and this year Rosalind Park is once again the only Victorian park to be recognised, so it's pretty special.
"A Green Flag represents an international standard for parks and green spaces and brings with it a vast amount of prestige.
"The City has made a considerable investment in Rosalind Park over many years and the Green Flag acknowledges and recognises this commitment."
Australian Green Flag 2020 recipients are:
- Rosalind Park, Bendigo VIC
- Lochiel Park, Adelaide SA
- Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane QLD
- South Bank Parklands, Brisbane QLD
- Chinchilla Botanic Parkland, Chinchilla QLD
- Paramatta Park, Sydney NSW
- Queanbeyan Park, NSW
- Queen Elizabeth II Park, Queanbeyan NSW
- Centennial Parklands, Sydney NSW
International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award Carl McClean said the awarding of a Green Flag is huge recognition of the staff and volunteers, and the municipalities that support them, who have worked so hard to maintain parks a green spaces through this very difficult period for everybody.
"Parks and green spaces have been a lifeline to many people and we are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award program,: Mr McClean said.
Launched in the UK in 1996, the Green Flag Award transformed the UK's green spaces. It was introduced to reverse the decline in the quality of parks that happened in the 1970s and 1980s and it has worked.
The Green Flag Award scheme now recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces around the world.
In Australia the Green Flag Award is managed by Parks and Leisure Australia - the leading industry association for professionals in the sector.
