The Golden Glossy is the ultimate achievement in contributing to sustainable living on the Sunshine Coast. It is granted to the projects which best demonstrate significant achievements in sustainability across many elements.

This award is for buildings that have been retrofitted or built to ensure energy and water efficiency and/or creative and resourceful use of materials, giving preference to recycled materials, materials with low embodied energy or locally sourced products where possible.

This award is for a resident or an organisation that have reduced their ecological footprint by growing some of their own food using environmentally friendly methods.

This award is for sustainable transport champions (individuals) and/or organisations who have demonstrated a commitment to encouraging and promoting the use of sustainable transport (walking, cycling, and public transport).

This award is for a business, organisation or individual that has demonstrated the improvement of goods and services which encourage the uptake of sustainable behaviour by the community or businesses.

This award is for a project, program or policy that has assisted in achieving improved sustainability within a business or organisation.

'Greening the Arts' creative industries excellence in sustainable practice. This award is for artists or art project managers who demonstrate excellence in sustainable practice, including environmental and social sensitivity.

New in 2012, this award is for developers or professionals who have delivered a residential project since 2008.

In recognition of the outstanding contributions or innovations towards delivering on council’s vision of the Sunshine Coast being the most sustainable region in Australia, the Hall of Fame Award has been introduced. The recipient of this award will be a well-known Sunshine Coast identity or business who has demonstrated great dedication to achieving sustainable outcomes over a significant period of time. They will be given the opportunity to speak or to present a short DVD of their work at the Annual Awards night.