Council achievements celebrated on national stage
Outstanding achievers in local government have been recognised today with the announcement of the 2023 National Awards for Local Government winners.
Now in its 37th year, the National Awards recognise outstanding innovation implemented by councils and acknowledge the important role local government plays in improving the daily lives of Australians.
The 2023 National Award winners are:
- City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (WA) in the Women in Local Government category for the incredible work of council employees, Mia Hicks and Lauren Chapman-Holle, in championing community development
- Bayside Council (NSW) in the Waste Management category for embarking on a circular economy journey with its Circular Waste Strategy and Action Plan Program
- Blacktown City Council (NSW) in the Road Safety category for its innovative renovation of Schofields Station Carpark, which maximises carparking spaces while tackling urban heat and creating a safe environment
- Moreton Bay Regional Council (QLD) in the Regional Growth category for its free automated data concierge service, Ask Morty, which helps small businesses make evidence-based decisions
- Melton City Council (VIC) in the Productivity through Infrastructure category for developing the Moving Melton Transport Prospectus, an innovative, interactive and data-driven website that demonstrates the benefits of investment in transport
- Mount Alexander Shire Council (VIC) in the Indigenous Recognition category for its permanent exhibition, Boorp Boorp Boondyil, featuring physical renderings of Jaara culture, artworks made by local and Indigenous Australian artists, and innovative interactive displays
- Buloke Shire Council (VIC) in the Disaster Preparedness category for The Paddock Run initiative, which provided flood affected, exhausted farmers and their families with locally-made cookies and an informative card with key flood support details and specialist advisor contacts, including for mental health, during the October 2022 floods
- City of Gosnells (WA) in the Creativity and Culture category for its inclusive, immersive, performance-based Ghost Walks experience showcasing local historical venues, artists, businesses and history
- The Hills Shire Council (NSW) in the Cohesive Communities category for its redevelopment of the Waves Fitness and Aquatic Centre focusing on inclusivity, accessibility and functionality
- Moreton Bay Regional Council (QLD) in the Career Starter category for its free virtual work experience program, My Future in Moreton Bay, designed to give Year 10-12 students a taste of the workforce and help address skills shortages
- Glen Eira City Council (VIC) in the Addressing Violence against Women and their Children category for Glen Eira Mums (GEMS), an early intervention service supporting vulnerable mothers and their children to access to legal advice and representation to avoid homelessness, debt and other complications from experiencing family violence.
The 2023 National Awards received 139 eligible entries across the 11 award categories from local governing bodies right across Australia.
For more information, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/local-government/national-awards-local-government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, and Member for Eden-Monaro, the Hon Kristy McBain MP:
“I congratulate all the winning and highly commended entries, along with every single applicant for this year’s National Awards.
“I was absolutely blown away by the innovation and determination shown by councils in their entries for this year’s awards, which showcased their hard work to achieve results for communities across a range of critical service areas – from regional growth to road safety.
“Australian councils continue to come up with new and creative ways to improve the lives of their residents, persevering through floods, COVID-19 and other challenges.
“These awards are a chance to acknowledge those incredible efforts and feats of our councils, while sharing their work on the national stage so that we can learn from and perhaps even replicate their ideas on broader scales.”