At the conference dinner, awards were presented to teams and individuals in seven categories. Paul Molan and Jason Davey from Manningham City Council took out the Innovative Management Initiative with their 3D geographical visualisation (GeoViz) model. Providing 3D images, this assists in the assessment of planning applications and design of major projects. It is also a very useful tool in promoting ‘participative democracy’ during public consultation sessions.
The Service Delivery Initiative was awarded to Danny Colgan and Rosanne Cregan at Boroondara City Council for the Boroondara Community OnBoard Program. While participating in community organisations is vital for breaking down social isolation and improving wellbeing, some community groups are barely functioning and many are not operating at a level that leads to increased participation rates, diversified participation, safe and responsible management, and renewal and succession. With the increasing demands being placed on voluntary committees, the Boroondara Community OnBoard program aims to enhance the capacity of community groups, clubs and non profit agencies to respond to these challenges, particularly the challenge of effective corporate governance.
Karen Ward-Smith from Greater Dandenong City Council took out the Special Projects Initiative with the Council Ambassador Program. Wearing outfits that clearly identify them as representing the city, ambassadors are volunteers from the community. At major community events, the ambassadors conduct one on one surveys that measure the event’s economic impact, collect marketing information from event attendees, or create cross promotional opportunities for event organisers, by handing out flyers for upcoming events.
Hobsons Bay’s Parks and Environment Team was awarded the Community Partnerships Initative for the Truganina Coastal Parklands project. This is a partnership project between government, industry and community to develop a regionally significant 300 hectare coastal conservation and visitor precinct. The project has transcended landownership and structural boundaries to provide a real, on-ground example of integrated coastal management, where a sense of stewardship has been developed across a range of groups.
The Community Assets and Infrastructure Initiative was awarded to the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre Project Team from Maribyrnong City Council. Due to be opened in May 2006, the Centre, design by Daryl Jackson and Prior & Cheney Architects, is striking and its functionality outstanding. While the construction of a new aquatic centre is not an unusual event in the life of a Council, the story of the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre illustrates that with the right vision, extraordinary persistence and shared common goals new and unusual partnerships can form delivering long lasting community benefits.
The Sustainability Initiative was awarded to the Sustainable Gardening and Composting Team at Darebin City Council. This program is delivering a holistic gardening, green waste reduction and recycling program with excellent results.
Sustainable Transport Officer (STO) at the City of Darebin, Kate Myers won the Young Achiever award. This position was the first STO within Local Government and became full time when Kate joined Council in 2003. Kate’s focus is to champion the cause of sustainable transport and encourage and facilitate community members, Darebin staff, local workplaces and school communities to change their travel behaviour away from the use of the private motor vehicle towards more sustainable modes of transport.
