Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort wins ‘Love Water Love Business’ Award

From left to right: Hunter Water Chair, Greg Martin, Hunter Water MD, Darren Cleary, HMRI Chief Operating Officer, Claire Drelincourt, Corrine Richards partner of Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort Maintenance Manager, Darren Richards, HMRI Head of Infrastructure, Cameron Morton, Belmont Golf and Bowls President, Lyn Cooper, and General Manager, Glenn Phillips, Hunter Water Executive Manager Customer Services, Matt Hingston.

A Salamander Bay resort with one of the largest swimming pools in the Southern Hemisphere is leading the region in water efficiency having taken out the ‘Love Water Love Business’ award at this year’s annual Hunter Business awards.

Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort is the 2022 winner, recognised for reducing water consumption significantly across their site during their water audit.

The key factor in their win has been the high priority the Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort team places on reducing water wastage, specifically for their 480-metre-long lagoon pool, showerheads in guest rooms and irrigation across their grounds.

Hunter Water works closely with local companies to bring to life their water efficiency projects, helping to save money and to conserve water for the community, now and into the future.

Along with Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort, the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and Belmont Golf & Bowls, were recognised for their leading water-saving efforts by being named as finalists in this year’s ‘Love Water Love Business’ category.

Water efficiency experts at Hunter Water review and select the winner from among the shortlisted businesses.

Hunter Water Managing Director, Darren Cleary, congratulated all three finalists for their efforts in conserving our precious resource.

“Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort, HMRI and Belmont Golf & Bowls are showing it is smart business to love water and I’m delighted their leadership, through establishing a Water Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP) and working with Hunter Water, helps save water for our community.

“The opportunities they have created are examples of how we can all play our part and implement different ways to save water in and around our homes and businesses,” said Mr Cleary.

NSW Regional General Manager for Minor Hotels, Todd Spagnolo, says the accolade is validation for the work at Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort.

“Working sustainably is extremely important to us and we are thrilled to have been named the winner of the ‘Love Water Love Business’ award.

“Offering one of the largest lagoon pools in the Southern Hemisphere, it is essential we responsibly manage the water in our pool and for our grounds, as well as the water consumption of our guest rooms, to ensure we are as environmentally minded as possible,” said Mr Spagnolo.

The ‘Love Water Love Business’ award, a Hunter Water and Business Hunter initiative, is judged on innovation, appeal for widespread adoption, water savings, and the payback period.

To enter the award, organisations are required to adopt a WEMP and introduce water saving initiatives into their business.

More information for businesses wanting to save water in their operations can visit www.hunterwater.com.au/business