The Sandhills Wetland restoration project in Byron Bay has won another major award, with Byron Shire Council taking first place at the Local Government Professionals 2026 NSW Excellence Awards.
The award category was asset and infrastructure – projects over $1.5 million. Population under 100,000. Council say the awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, innovation and improvements in the NSW Local Government sector.
Mark Arnold, Council’s General Manager, said the Local Government Professionals awards are highly regarded both in NSW and on a national level.
“This is a proud moment for Council and our community because it’s such an honour for our Sandhills Wetlands project to be recognised at these highly regarded awards,” Mr Arnold said.
Council staff say, “The restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands is one of Council’s most important cultural, environmental and drainage projects, designed to reduce the impact of flooding on the Byron Bay town centre”.
“The original wetlands, on a 1.8-hectare site in the heart of Byron Bay, were destroyed by sandmining in the 1960s and for many years the site was overgrown, degraded and attracted anti-social behaviour.
“Co-designed with Arakwal and supported by Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Crown Lands, we not only restored the ecological function of the wetlands and reinstated the natural landscape, but we also honoured cultural heritage,” Mr Arnold said.
“Congratulations to all the staff involved in this incredibly complex project over many years. This award is much deserved.
“On behalf of Byron Shire Council, I thank Local Government Professionals for this prestigious award and for recognising the immense worth of the Sandhills Wetlands restoration project,” Mr Arnold said.
Council staff added, “The restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands was funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, the NSW Government through the Public Spaces Legacy Program and Council.
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