Port Hedland enters Tidy Town race

Registration for the Tidy Towns' 2014 competition opened last week and Port Hedland will be entering the fray again with Mayor and Care for Hedland co-ordinator Kelly Howlett championing the cause.

"(We're) very, very excited to let you know we'll proudly be entering the competition this year," she said.

"Care for Hedland and the Town of Port Hedland … will work together in terms of the development of the submission."

Cr Howlett said Port Hedland had won in the past and was capable of winning again.

"I think we'll do very well," she said. "The community has been extremely busy … and in the past year we've had a tremendous amount of activities and events that have helped bring people together and instil pride in the community."

Gone are the days of Tidy Towns being solely about going out to pick up litter, according to Cr Howlett.

"It's actually the reflection and recognition of all the efforts and all the endeavours that happen in the community to create a bright, positive, vibrant, sustainable town," she said.

"It's like an annual report for the community and shows how the community is ticking along."

Keep Australia Beautiful Council WA chairman Mel Hay said the awards were about acknowledging regional communities that foster sustainable ways of living and a litter-free environment.

"In 2013, Tidy Towns engaged 74 rural WA communities, which involved approximately 13,900 volunteers who contributed around 185,000 voluntary hours," he said.

"Over the years we have seen many great projects undertaken as part of the Tidy Towns program, which have benefited communities in a range of ways, (so) it is no surprise that there is continued strong support for Tidy Towns."

There are eight categories in the awards: community action and partnerships, general appearance, waste management and litter prevention, natural environment conservation, heritage and culture, water conservation, energy innovation and young legends.

For more information about the Tidy Towns program email tidytowns@kabc.wa.gov .au.