The first national economic development awards for Local Government were presented at a ceremony held in Melbourne and attended by more than 120 Council and community representatives. Known as the National Economic Development Awards, the competition to locate outstanding performances by Local Governments, community groups and individuals attracted nearly 60 entries and was coordinated by the Economic Development Association of Victoria (EDAV).
The President of EDAV, David Keenan, described the response to the inaugural awards as being remarkable given that EDAV only had a fairly short period of time to organise and promote the awards.
“The extremely positive response to the awards and the sentiments expressed at the awards ceremony, have reinforced our commitment to hold the awards annually,” David Keenan said. “The awards are important as they recognise the effort of people across EDAV.”
He said that a number of people at the awards ceremony had commented about the need for EDAV to evolve into a national organisation, and this was being actively considered by the EDAV Board.
Awards were presented in the categories of Partnerships, Strategy, Innovation, Leadership, and Promotion, with sponsors including Telstra, Powercor, Sensis, Aus Industry and SKM. Award winners came from all over Australia with the Public Private Partnerships award going to the City of Onkaparinga (SA), the Strategy Award going to the City of Salisbury (SA), and the Innovation Award going to Tweed and Northern Rivers Regional Economic Group (NSW).
The Promotion award for Business Attraction went to Swan Hill Rural Council, while the Promotion Award for Publications went to the City of Maroondah (both from Victoria), with the final Promotion award for use of the Internet went to the Greater Taree Council (NSW).
The major awards recognising excellence among elected members and economic development practitioners received significant interest.
The Leadership Award for the elected member went to Councillor David Vendy, Mayor of the City of Ballarat, for his holistic approach to economic development and community renewal. This award also recognised his work in cultural diversity and the development of State significant infrastructure.
Leadership in the employee sector went to Rochelle Vick from Greater Shepparton City Council who has demonstrated her capacity and innovation in delivering real economic development outcomes for her municipality.
EDAV Vice President, Kirsten Coster, who headed the awards organising committee, congratulated the winners, finalists and all the entrants.
“The awards have uncovered some very impressive examples of innovative economic development activity at Local Government level,” she said. “The role of the Awards is to reward people for their outstanding services, and to alert economic development practitioners in Local Government about the quality of the work being undertaken and best practice.”
EDAV President, David Keenan, said that it was likely that EDAV would become a national body over the next six months.
“Interest from every State has been received as part of this awards process, and the executive wish to build on this,” he said. “EDAV has already been contacted by groups in Queensland and New South Wales who wish to become involved, so it is likely that the national option will be definitely explored.”
More information about the 2005 Economic Development Awards can be found on the EDAV website at www.economicdevelopment.com.au or David Keenan can be contacted on (03) 5320 5676, email davidkeenan@ ballarat.vic.gov.au
