City of Joondalup internationally recognised for lifestyle opportunities

The City of Joondalup has been named the World's Most Liveable City of 2011 at the United Nations-endorsed International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom), winning the category for cities with populations of between 150,001 and 400,000.

Announced in the city of announced in Songpa-gu, South Korea, the LivCom Awards focus on international best practice in environmental management and in the creation of liveable communities.

Cities are judged on six categories: enhancement of natural and built landscapes; arts, culture and heritage; environmental best practice; community participation and empowerment; healthy lifestyle; and strategic planning.

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said winning the award was a significant achievement for Joondalup, with the city now being recognised at an international level for its fantastic attributes and lifestyle choices.

Mayor Pickard explained "the city has come a long way in a few short years, providing the community with a great range of services and a sense of place, whilst developing sustainable planning and environmental strategies for the future.

"Local governments face many challenges and must plan for them all. From climate change to population growth, community services and emergency management in the face of disaster, the city of Joondalup is leading the way in local government in Western Australia, and, as this award now shows, internationally."

LivCom Chief Executive and founder Alan Smith said that he had long championed the fact that many of the world's most pressing challenges can be met by working at regional level and the cities represented demonstrated that they were actively taking a lead role.

The city of Joondalup was recognised for fulfilling a range of key criteria covering environmental best practice, healthy lifestyle of citizens, community involvement as well as arts and cultural heritage.

Western Australian municipalities were also awarded in other LivCom categories, wining four other medals in recognition of their being among the most liveable places in the world.

Mandurah came second in its population category of 20,001 to 75,000 and also picked up an award for strategic planning while the regional coastal city of Geraldton, with its population of about 37,000, won the community involvement award.

Mandurah acting Chief Executive Tony Free said his city had done "exceptionally well" against 77 finalists from 26 countries in its category, stating "the judges noted the increasing emphasis on involving and empowering the community itself and said this was a real strength in this year's applications.

"Their comments underline what the city has always recognised: that the Mandurah community is an essential partner in the creation of our liveable community.

"These awards belong to every single person in our community."

The Chinese city of Nanjing was named the World's Most Liveable City for cities with populations of more than 400,000.

For more information go to www.livcomawards.com

Image: Aqautic facilities at Arena Joondalup.