The inaugural City of Christchurch Environmental Awards are to be presented tonight to two award recipients, Christ’s College and Peacock Springs:

A special panel, made up of Councillors and City representatives, decided on Christ’s College as the award winner in the ‘built environment’ section of the awards and Peacock Springs in the ‘natural environment’ section.

An initiative developed by the Environmental Committee, the awards are to recognise outstanding contributions to the City’s built and natural environment.

Peacock Springs was chosen to receive the prestigious award on the basis of:

the scale and potential of the Springs

the transformation that had been made from a shingle quarry

the partnership that had evolved with a government department in conserving natural animal and bird species.

the unique environment that has been created

the vision and creativity of two people over many years of effort

Christ’s College was seen as the top-placegetter in its section on the basis of:

the heritage collection of buildings that are in one place

the natural history lesson that can be gained from the one place

the integration of a wide range of building designs in a place of learning

the retention of historic buildings and their application to everyday use

The City of Christchurch Environmental Award will be selected and awarded annually.