The Greater Whitsunday region’s commitment to collaboration, sustainability, and future-focused industry transformation has been recognised nationally, with Greater Whitsunday Alliance’s Decarbonisation Accelerated project winning the Collaboration Award at the 2025 SIM-PAC Live Sustainability Awards in Brisbane.
The SIM-PAC Live Sustainability Awards honour the groundbreaking efforts of individuals, organizations, and governments across the Asia Pacific region who are leading the charge toward net-zero emissions, circular economies, and sustainable industrial practices.
Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) also received a Judges’ recommendation in the highly competitive Best ESG/SDG/Net Zero Strategy category, highlighting the region’s leadership in shaping practical pathways toward a low-carbon future.
Delivered by GW3, Resources Centre of Excellence and the Local Buying Foundation, Decarbonisation Accelerated has emerged as a comprehensive regional sustainability model — uniting industry, government, education, and community organisations to drive shared decarbonisation outcomes across the Greater Whitsunday region.
- Regional collaboration in action: Establishing a coordinated regional framework for decarbonisation and sustainability.
- Education and capability building: Co-developing the region’s first Microcredential in Decarbonisation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scopes with CQUniversity.
- METS Diversification: Implementing the Greater Whitsunday METS Sector Revenue Diversification Strategy, supporting mining equipment, technology, and services companies to pivot toward low-carbon markets.
- Circular economy innovation: Supporting projects in food waste valorisation, marine debris reuse, tyre-to-brick conversion, and glass-to-asphalt manufacturing.
- Community engagement: Convening the 2024 Decarbonisation Accelerated Summit to align regional priorities and drive shared commitment.
GW3 Chief Executive Officer Ms Kylie Porter said the awards recognise the power of regional collaboration.
“These awards acknowledge something we are incredibly proud of — that when our region works together, we can accelerate economic transformation that benefits industry, community and future generations,”
– Ms Kylie Porter.
“Decarbonisation Accelerated is proving that sustainability is not just an environmental imperative, but a platform for innovation, diversification, new skills, and new opportunities across the Greater Whitsunday region.”
“We thank all our partners for their shared commitment, leadership, and belief in what collaboration can achieve,” she said.
Resources Centre of Excellence Chief Executive Officer Mr Steven Boxall said the collaborative framework, involving partners such as CQUniversity, the Local Buying Foundation, Resources Centre of Excellence, local councils, and regional METS and manufacturing businesses — is now considered a replicable national model for place-based sustainability.
“Decarbonisation Accelerated continues to position the Greater Whitsunday region as a national leader in climate transition, circular economy innovation, and low-carbon industry growth.”
– Mr Steven Boxall.
“The recognition at SIM-PAC Live demonstrates the region’s capacity to not only adapt to a changing global landscape, but to lead it — with practical, collaborative, and scalable solutions,” Mr Boxall said.
SIM-PAC Live is Asia Pacific’s premier event for sustainable industrial manufacturing.
