Horsham also received a highly commended in the environmental sustainability category but missed out on the title of Australia’s tidiest town.

Triabunna in Tasmania was named the overall national Tidy Towns winner.

Horsham received the Environmental Education Award for work done at the Horsham Special School.

“Horsham Special School provides an impressive array of environmental education opportunities starting with building design and landscaping of their site,” national Tidy Towns judge Jill Grant said. 

“The use of rammed earth, natural light, ventilation, solar panels, and water harvesting are daily reminders of energy and water use efficiency and their benefits.”

The chief executive of Keep Australia Beautiful Philip Robinson Horsham was also recognised for its conservation and revegetation efforts across various sites.

“The flood mitigation and bushfire prevention efforts in Horsham are outstanding,” he said.

“It’s pleasing to see another year of high calibre national finalists from every corner of our amazing country.”

The 2015 Tidy Towns program received 308 applicants, with 1454 category submissions across councils, shires, community groups, schools and individuals.