Eighteen of the nation’s 565 councils and shires have been declared category winners in this year’s National Awards for Local Government.
These prestigious awards recognise the great work that our local governments do in supporting their communities through creative and innovative programs.
As the tier of government closest to the people, local governments deliver important services and infrastructure for their communities.
Since 1986, the National Awards have been rewarding the best of the best with national recognition.
This year, independent judges worked through 192 entries by councils and shires across Australia.
These category winners were selected because they highlighted great local ideas and best practice.
The awards also give local governments the chance to share information and find new solutions to old problems.
This year’s category winners showcase the diversity of our local governments, with winners coming from East Arnhem Land, Rockhampton, Liverpool Plains, the Grampians and our major capital cities.
Congratulations to all category winners, including those six very small councils who face particular challenges in supporting their communities.
In coming weeks, the independent panel chaired by Paul Bell, past President of the Local Government Association of Queensland, will assess the category winners and determine a national winner, which will be announced in June.
The category winners are listed below.
For more information on the National Awards for Local Government visit www.regional.gov.au
2013 Category Winners
Active Arts
Sponsored by the Office for the Arts, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.
- Winner: Whittlesea City Council, VIC—Into the Light 2012: The Unfolding Story
- Small Council Winner (under 15,000 rateable properties): East Arnhem Shire Council, NT— iStories
- Commended: Newcastle City Council, NSW—The Loft Arts and Cultural Centre
- Commended: Frankston City Council, VIC—Frankston Arts Centre Arts Access.
Asset and Financial Management
Sponsored by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.
- Winner: Wyndham City Council, VIC— FieldInspect: Mobile Inspection Application
- Small Council Winner (under 15,000 rateable properties): Liverpool Plains Shire Council, NSW— Quipolly Dam Upgrade
- Commended: Randwick City Council, NSW—Buildings for our Community Program
- Commended: Sutherland Shire Council, NSW—Graffiti Hotspot Reduction Project.
Excellence in Road Safety
Sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
- Winner: Dungog Shire Council, Maitland City Council and Port Stephens Council, NSW—Safer Motorcycle Routes
- Commended: Brisbane City Council, QLD—Active School Travel
- Commended: Rockhampton Regional Council, QLD—Rockhampton Regional Council Road Safety Strategy 2012-2022.
Excellence in Tourism
Sponsored by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
- Winner: Singleton Shire Council, NSW—Singleton Visitor Information and Enterprise Centre
- Commended: Towong Shire Council, VIC—Sandy Creek Bridge and Rail Trail: A New Icon of the High Country.
Innovative Infrastructure Development
Sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
- Winner: Northern Grampians Shire Council, VIC—Monash Steps/Stawell Steps
- Commended: Maroondah City Council, VIC— Marveloo: A Unique Mobile Accessible Restroom.
Promoting Reconciliation
Sponsored by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
- Winner: Yarra City Council, VIC—Follow in my Footsteps: Celebrating Aboriginal Culture in Gertrude St
- Small Council Winner (under 15,000 rateable properties): Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, QLD—Cherbourg Planning Scheme
- Commended: Lake Macquarie Council, NSW—Understanding Sensitive Aboriginal Cultural Landscapes
- Commended: City of Melville NSW—Bidi-Katitjiny Aboriginal Women’s Trail.
Regional Collaborations
Sponsored by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.
- Winner: Townsville City Council, QLD—Citysolar Program: Townsville City Council’s Whole-of-Community Collaborative Framework for Action
- Small Council Winner (under 15,000 rateable properties): Warren Shire Council, NSW—Lower Macquarie Water Utilities Alliance
- Commended: East Arnhem Shire Council, NT—Latitude 12.
Strength in Diversity
Sponsored by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
- Winner: Hume City Council, VIC—Supporting Parents: Developing Children
- Commended: City of Greater Dandenong, VIC—Face to Face: Unity in Diversity.
Women in the Community
Sponsored by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.
- Winner: Bankstown City Council, NSW—The Bankstown Children and Families Hub
- Small Council Winner (under 15,000 rateable properties): Northern Grampians Shire Council, VIC—From Adversity Rise Champions: The Women of Joel Joel Take Charge
- Commended: Wollondilly Shire Council, NSW—Women in Trades: A Unique Approach.
Youth Engagement and Participation
Sponsored by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
- Winner: City of Playford, SA—Juggernaut (Young Riders as Leaders)
- Small Council Winner (under 15,000 rateable properties): Wattle Range Council, SA—iPOP Limestone Coast Peer Education Project
- Commended: City of Greater Geelong Council, VIC—The GEEYOUNG Project
- Commended: City of Darwin, NT—Annual Youth Arts Exhibition
- Commended: Penrith City Council, NSW—The Mondo Community Safety and Youth Engagement Project.
