The Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has listed QWAG’s work as “a great example of environmental action”.

The HCA’s Place Spotlight website showcases projects from around the country which have demonstrated best practice in creating vibrant communities and local environments. The case studies featured include the Quaggy’s restoration in Sutcliffe Park, which was proposed by QWAG and carried out as part of the River Quaggy Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The website praises QWAG for demonstrating “the value of community involvement both in finding solutions to their problems [and] in defining what those problems are”. It adds that local communities’ close involvement in the project helped to “develop a more holistic and sustainable approach to environmental management that tapped into the knowledge of local people”.

The HCA’s recognition of QWAG’s work comes a year after we were a national runner-up in the prestigious British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) Awards for Community Inspired Regeneration. We reported on this award last year.
QWAG chairman Paul de Zylva said: “It’s great for our work in south east London to be showcased nationally. Restoring the natural role of rivers can help revive an area, prevent flooding and attract wildlife. Communities and councils around the country can now learn from QWAG’s work.

“This recognition is a real boost as we recover from the unexpected death last summer of our chairman, Ray Manchester. This is a tribute to Ray and all QWAG members past and present.”