Wyndham City’s Environment Team has been recognised at the 2026 LGPro Awards for Excellence. The team won the Digital Technology Award for its Landscape-Scale Weed Management with AI and Drone Technology program and received a High Commendation in the Environmental Sustainability category for the Land Protection Grant Scheme.

The award-winning weed management project showcases Wyndham’s leadership in innovation through the development of ECO:SENSE, a custom AI-powered GIS tool designed for land managers. Using high-resolution drone imagery, the technology automatically identifies and maps Artichoke Thistle, providing accurate plant counts, GPS locations and canopy measurements in a matter of hours rather than weeks. This enables more targeted weed control, improved contractor planning and better land management decisions.

The project demonstrates how combining technology, ecology and land management can deliver measurable environmental outcomes while setting a new benchmark for digital innovation in local government.

The Land Protection Grant Scheme was also recognised for its strong partnership with DEECA and ongoing support for rural landholders. Since 2020, the program has delivered more than 9,000 hectares of weed control, 5,400 hectares of vegetation surveys, the establishment of over 33,000 native plants, and undertaken ecological burns that have improved native grassland health, soil structure and organic carbon levels.

The Land Protection Grant Scheme was also recognised for its strong partnership with DEECA and its ongoing support for rural landholders. Since 2020, the program has delivered over 9,000 hectares of weed control, completed 5,400 hectares of vegetation surveys, established more than 33,000 native plants, and undertaken ecological burns that have improved native grassland health, soil structure, and organic carbon levels.

See pages 38 and 55 of the 2026 LGPro Awards for Excellence Yearbook for more information.