In May, the City of Belmont’s vision as the City of Opportunity was recognised with a national award for Local Governance Leadership. Council was awarded the Phillips Group Award for Local Governance Leadership at the 2008 National Property Council of Australia Rider Levitt Bucknall Awards for Innovation and Excellence.
This award recognises and publicly rewards Local Governments that are able to demonstrate leadership and innovation in development assessment, infrastructure delivery and the ability to interact and communicate with the property investment and development industry. Belmont Mayor, Councillor Glenys Godfrey, accepted the award. She said it acknowledged Belmont’s dedication to the community.
“It is exciting for a Local Government entity to receive recognition at a national level for its commitment to local leadership,” she said. “At the City of Belmont, we have an ongoing vision to build a city of opportunity, with a strong focus placed on delivering innovation and excellence to the local community.”
Two binding principals from Council’s strategic plan are community wellbeing and community satisfaction. As such, Council undertakes an annual Community and Business Perceptions Survey to evaluate and monitor the City’s performance levels.
The 2007 survey results show the success of a broad range of initiatives implemented by Council, with 86 per cent of respondents reporting they were satisfied with
the City’s performance and 52 per cent reporting they
were delighted. Residents’ perception of value for money from the rates they pay was also high, with 72 per cent satisfied and
37 per cent delighted.
Mayor Godfrey said the results show the passion Council has in terms of its role in building a better community and providing quality customer service for both businesses and residents.
She said the award is a reflection of team effort from both staff and elected members.
“We actively engage our business community and facilitate further investment in the area,” she said. “Belmont is being touted as an attractive location for office relocation, being just six kilometres from the Perth CBD and containing all major transport networks. Recent planning scheme amendments reflect this vision, protecting the business community from the encroaching residential pressures and guiding development to the mixed business precinct.”
Council acknowledged the role of its Development Control Group for demonstrating best practice strategic planning and development assessments.
“We’re excited about our City’s future, and we will be focusing on identifying, creating and realising opportunities for everyone,” Mayor Godfrey said. “At Belmont we aim to deliver excellence in the quality of our services, and as a facilitator in the community, we act in a manner which reflects the community’s desire
and aspirations.
