It’s World Environment Day today, and if you’re looking for some good news, a beloved coastal area near Melbourne just won big at the Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards for 2026. This national award celebrates community-led environmental action in rural and regional Australia. And to our delight, Mornington Peninsula received not one, not two, but three major honours! This region won an award for Circular Economy and Waste Reduction, as well as a Local Hero Award. It also received a nod for the Young Legends Award.
Mornington Peninsula at the Tidy Towns Awards for 2026
The Mornington Peninsula was one of six communities shortlisted for the national Tidy Town of the Year title, after being declared as Victoria’s Tidy Town for 2025. And while the title of National Tidy Town went to the small town of Williams in Western Australia, there’s still a lot for Mornington Peninsula to be proud of.
The region received an award for Circular Economy and Waste Reduction, thanks to the Shell Savers project. This initiative, run in partnership with OzFish, Mornington Peninsula Shire, local businesses and the Bunurong Land Council, diverts tonnes of oyster, mussel and scallop shells from landfill, and repurposes them into new shellfish reefs in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay.
“Shell Savers shows how simple local actions can create lasting environmental change,” said OzFish Project Manager Andy Foudoulis. “It’s rewarding to see oyster shells once considered waste helping restore important marine habitats across our bays.”
There’s a recycling site in Flinders, and shells from businesses are collected from dedicated, ‘Shell Only’ bins. The shells are cleaned and cured by volunteers, and then returned to the sea.
Meanwhile, ecologist and educator Gidja Walker was declared a joint winner of the Dame Phyllis Frost Local Hero Award, alongside senior Elder and Traditional Owner of Ikuntji, NT, Douglas Multa. For over 30 years, Walker has led conservation and restoration efforts across wetlands, woodlands and coastal ecosystems around Mornington.
Finally, the Ngawak Biik Junior Ranger Program at The Briars in Mount Martha received a Highly Commended nod in the Young Legends Award. This award celebrates young people or groups who demonstrate leadership in environmental action. The program, meaning ‘understand Country, listen to Country,’ teaches First Nations students about land management, bushcraft, cultural practices and environmental stewardship.
“It’s such an achievement for the Mornington Peninsula to be recognised on the national stage,” said Acting Mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro. “From restoring marine ecosystems to empowering young people through cultural learning, these projects show what is possible when community passion and local action come together.”
To see the full list of winners, click here.