An Australian country music icon and eco-warrior is urging festival-goers to CELEBRATE SUSTAINABILITY during next month’s 50th Toyota Country Music Festival. 

As a 37-time Golden Guitar winner and currently nominated in eight categories for the 2022 awards, the proud Gumbaynggir/Bundjalung man, Troy-Cassar Daley is once again front and centre as the Tamworth Country Music Festival’s Sustainability Ambassador. 

2022 will mark two decades in the role for Mr Cassar-Daley, who is now calling on his country music family for support.  

“The Tamworth Country Music Festival is a fantastic celebration of our country artists and the industry and the 50th anniversary is going to be one to remember,” says Mr Cassar-Daley. 

“But if you’re coming along to Tamworth next month, please think about the environment when you’re celebrating. 

“Remember reduce, reuse, recycle and keep our country music capital clean.”

Launching his country music career at the age of 12 as a busker on Peel Street, Tamworth is like a second home to Mr Cassar-Daley.

And as the front-man of festival sustainability he has helped festival-goers reduce waste in a big way.

“Since the festival sustainability campaign started back in 2002, we’ve helped divert more the 130 tonnes of recycling from landfill, which is just amazing!” Says Mr Cassar-Daley.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in the Tamworth for the 50th anniversary event, which will put increased pressure on the city’s resources and waste infrastructure.

Tamworth Regional Council’s Waste Sustainability Officer, Angela Dodson, says the extra visitors mean a huge increase in waste generation.

“Over the 10-days of the festival around eight tonnes of recycling is generated, which is equivalent to more than half-a-million aluminium cans,” says Ms Dodson.

“In January we will have general waste and recycling stations located right across the festival precinct and I urge all festival-goers to use them.”

And while the region is no longer experiencing drought, Tamworth Regional Council is reminding everyone to be water wise.

“Right now Tamworth’s water supply is healthy, but our community knows just how quickly that can change,” says Ms Dodson.

“Local and visitors alike will be reminded to conserve water where possible and also conserve energy use by switching off lights and setting air-cons to 25 degrees.”

Tamworth Regional Council will be doing a number of giveaways throughout the festival as part of its Let’s Celebrate Sustainability campaign.

Visitors and locals are being encouraged to check the festival’s social media pages, so they can get involved.