Cairns Garden Awards launched

20 May 2009

Balcony and vegetable gardens have made a comeback in the competition amongst Cairns region’s most beautiful and luxuriant gardens for accolades in the annual Cairns Garden Awards.

Cairns Regional Council will launch the awards tomorrow in which every garden entered - large or small, residential or commercial, new or well established - will be judged on its waterwise merits as well the category under which it is entered.

Mayor Val Schier said the yearly event attracted more than 70 entrants and 30 sponsors from across the region.

“Home gardeners can enter one or more of nine categories including New Home Garden, Native Garden, Unit Garden and Pensioners Garden,” Cr Schier said.

“Schools, hospitals, retirement villages, caravan parks and tourist accommodations will be able to enter gardens in the commercial categories.

“All gardens will be judged for their waterwise aspects including the efficient use of water through water saving technologies, the reduction of evaporation through use of mulch and shade and the overall design.

Entries close 24 July and gardens will be judged 26 July – 6 August with prizes awarded 8 August

Entry forms can be picked up at Council Chambers Spence St, Cairns and Front St, Mossman, the Cairns Botanic Gardens, all Cairns Libraries or downloaded from www.cairns.qld.gov.au