The Premier’s Award for Continuous Improvement in Local Government is held biennially to recognise excellence in Local Government in Victoria. It is the highest accolade for continuous improvement achievements by Victorian Councils. Towong Shire has taken out the 2005 award.
Launched in 2000 by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) the award is supported by Business Excellence Australia, a division of Standards Australia. It aims to accelerate the understanding and take up of continuous improvement methodologies; encourage, recognise and share excellence; and promote the achievement of change internally within the Local Government sector.
Victorian Minister for Local Government, Candy Broad, presented the award to Towong Mayor, Councillor Peter Joyce, and Chief Executive Officer, Ray Park, at the recent MAV Annual Conference.
Ray Park said the award was a major milestone for the small rural Council and that it is a fantastic example of what a small Shire can achieve.
Towong with its 6,600 residents has the second smallest budget and the third smallest population in Victoria.
“We have come a longway in the last four years and this award is testimony to the commitment of Councillors and staff in improving our organisation and seeking better outcomes for our community,” Ray Park said. “Council’s continuous improvement activities are based on the understanding that trained and enthusiastic staff, using best known processes, will provide the best possible outcomes for the community at the lowest cost.”
Mayor Joyce said that community satisfaction had never been higher, staff climate surveys are at their highest ever, with productivity and Council’s financial position continuing to improve.
“The award, which has been won by much larger Councils in the past, is evidence that Towong’s efforts are in the same league as significantly bigger City Councils,” Councillor Joyce said.
