From Kununurra to Cairns, Batemans Bay to Boonah, Sydney to Perth, Council representatives got together last year to share their experiences. They heard how others are developing and implementing innovative and resourceful practices that would help them to improve their business outcomes and build sustainable communities.
Many entrants from the National Awards for Local Government took time to discuss what they did, why they did it, how they did it, what worked, what didn’t, what they and their communities gained from the experience and how such a process could be adapted to suit other situations.
The Awards acknowledge and foster innovation and excellence in Local Government. They provide recognition of the effort Local Government puts into improving services and facilities in their communities and their commitment to achieving and/or emulating best practice.
The associated Leading Practice Seminars give Councils the opportunity to share their expertise and creativity. They help Local Government to build capacity, to learn and improve performance, and importantly, to save time and energy by not having to ‘reinvent the wheel’.
Since the Leading Practice Seminar Series started in 2000, Awards entrants have shared their experiences with close to 200 other Councils around Australia. Entrants from the Awards are ready to come and talk to you, to share their experiences and to answer your questions.
Officers from the Departments of Environment and Heritage; Family and Community Services; Health and Aged Care; Immigration & Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs; Industry, Tourism and Resources; and Transport and Regional Services are also available to discuss how they may be able to provide assistance in your region.
The seminars are run as a partnership between the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) and host Councils, Regional Organisations of Councils or Local Government Associations. DOTARS financially supports host Councils, and covers the cost of speakers.
“Planning for the Leading Practice Seminars in 2004 is just getting under way. If you want to know more or register your interest call Bob Yabsley on (02) 6274 6036 or email bob.yabsley@dotars.gov.au.
