The category winners and those receiving commendations in the ten categories in the 2008 National Awards for Local Government were announced on 3 September. The national judging panel has now considered these winners and selected the 2008 overall National Awards. The national winners will announced at a dinner to be held in Canberra on 17 November.
Some 71 councils took part in this year’s awards, with 114 entries submitted from across Australia.
This year marks the 22nd year of the National Awards.
“With the ongoing theme ‘Local Government – working hard for Australians’, these awards showcase the resourcefulness and innovation of Australia’s hard working councils in improving services to their communities,” said Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, Anthony Albanese. “They also highlight the wide range of issues facing Local Government, and
I encourage them to continue sharing information to improve their capacity and find solutions for their communities.”
An independent panel judged the awards and determined
13 winners for the ten categories of awards and four winners from councils with under 15,000 ratepayers. There were also 15 commendations.
Information about the National Awards for Local Government and the complete list of category and commendations winners can be found at www.infrastructure.gov.au/local/awards
Category winners and commendations
Category – Excellence in Alcohol Management
Winner: Greater Geelong City Council, Vic – Greater Geelong Integrated Alcohol Response
Commendations: City of Albury, NSW – Excellence in Operation: Albury City and Community Partners
Category – Health and Wellbeing
Winner: Yarra Ranges Shire Council, Vic –‘Hey Babe –What if you’re Pregnant?’ Resource Kit
Small Council Winner (under 15,000 ratepayers): Rural City of Murray Bridge, SA – Murraylands Community of Youth Services
Commendations: Palmerston City Council, NT – Palmlesstonnes Community Project
Category – Increasing Women’s Participation
Joint Winners: Onkaparinga City Council, SA – Women Participating: A Culture Not a Project and Playford City Council, SA – Northern Local Government Women’s Leadership Symposium
Commendations: Mildura Rural City Council, Vic – How to Maximise My Potential at Mildura Rural City Council –
Professional Development for Administrative Assistants; and Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, NSW –
Western Sydney Young Women’s Leadership Project
Category – Innovation in Regional Development
Winner: Hawkesbury City Council, NSW – Peppercorn Services Inc; A Model for Social Entrepreneurship in Local Government
Small Council Winner (under 15,000 ratepayers): Murray Shire Council, NSW – The Long Paddock Cobb Highway Touring Route
Commendations: Mildura Rural City Council, Vic – Mildura Region China Program; Nambucca Shire Council, NSW –
Collaborating Industry; and Local Government and Clarence Valley Council, NSW – Clarence Edge
Category – Local Greenhouse Action
Winner: Gosnells City Council, WA – Switch your thinking! Program
Commendations: Melbourne City Council, Vic – City of Melbourne’s Savings in the City – Green Hotels Program; and Cockburn City Council, WA – Sustainability and the City of Cockburn’s Local Greenhouse Action Program
Category – Natural Resource Management
Winner: Clarence Valley Council, NSW – The Clarence Floodplain Project – Reviving Floodplain Watercourses and Wetlands
Commendations: Warrnambool City Council, Vic – Middle Island Maremma Project; and Mildura Rural City Council, Vic – Environmental Sustainability – Waste and Recycling, Stormwater Management and Water Saving
Category – Strengthening Indigenous Communities
Winner: Brisbane City Council, Qld – Stylin’ Up – Brisbane City Council 2026 Youth Visionary Project
Commendations: Campbelltown City Council, NSW – The Campbelltown Intergeneration Aboriginal Project
Category – Universal Design for Public Amenities
No awards made
Category – Valuing and Promoting Quality Child Care
Small Council Winner (under 15,000 ratepayers): Dardanup Shire Council, WA – The Eaton Community Montessori Project
Commendations: Penrith City Council, NSW – Where Education Outside the Home Begins – an innovative supported play session
Category – Youth Engagement
Winner: Clarence Valley Council, NSW – Clarence Valley Youth Summer Events Program
Small Council Winner (under 15,000 ratepayers): Rural City of Murray Bridge, SA –Youth Led Rescue
Commendations: Newcastle City Council, NSW – The Loft Youth Venue Music Program; and Hobsons Bay City Council, Vic – Hobsons Bay New and Emerging Communities Youth Leadership Program.
