Victoria's largest credit union, mecu's innovation in developing a world-first Conservation Landbank has been recognised by the Victorian Government.
mecu has been awarded a prestigious Premier's Sustainability Award for Products and Services Innovation - one of only five Victorian organisations to be awarded for leadership in sustainable development.
The Premier's Sustainability awards recognise businesses and groups that are reducing their environmental footprint and finding innovative ways to save resources and reduce waste.
Premier John Brumby presented the winners with their Sustainability Awards at a ceremony in Melbourne.
mecu General Manager Rowan Dowland said it was a tremendous achievement to receive this level of recognition.
"mecu's Conservation Landbank enables people borrowing to build a new home a means by which to offset the loss of biodiversity associated with the new home construction.
‘As land is cleared for construction, mecu offsets an equivalent area of land in the Landbank which is protected against any future development with a Trust for Nature Covenant."
Other innovations involving the Landbank include offsetting carbon emissions from vehicles financed by mecu by planting trees planted into the property located in Victoria's West Wimmera region.
mecu's Rowan Dowland said the award was an example of how credit unions can show leadership in sustainable development to the business sector.
"mecu's approach to sustainable banking has seen it grow to become one of Australia's largest and most successful credit unions. mecu has more than 111,000 members across Australia, assets approaching $1.8billion and more than $200m in tier one capital.
"It is also the first credit union in Australia to be assigned a long and short term credit rating from international ratings service, Standard and Poor's
"We hope our success will show other organisations that being sustainable delivers dividends not only for the environment and community but for business too."
To find out more about mecu visit: www.mecu.com.au or phone 132888.
Media Inquiries:
Rowan Dowland, General Manager Development mecu 03 9854 4644 or 0418 508718
mecu Zoe Gaylard 03 9854 4663
or visit: www.mecu.com.au
