Greater Shepparton City Council, Victoria, took home the Special Projects Initiative award at the Local Government Professionals 2019 Awards for Excellence in Melbourne on Thursday, 21 February.
Greater Shepparton transformed Melbourne’s Federation Square into ‘Shepp Square’ for two weeks in April 2018, giving locals and visitors to the busy hub a taste of the great things happening in the country.
The Shepp Square exhibition-style event highlighted Greater Shepparton with the aim of attracting visitors, investment and new residents to the region.
It also provided a point of sale opportunity and exposure to new markets for participating businesses.
Mayor, Kim O’Keeffe, said it took a community wide effort to pull off a project as big as Shepp Square.
“It was wonderful to have such a broad representation from local businesses and all sectors of our community in Shepp Square.
“It put such a bright light on our region and gave it significant exposure.
“Shepp Square was an incredible opportunity to share what we can offer here in Greater Shepparton and that is great lifestyle, visitor experiences and business opportunities.
“The award is recognition of the effort of our community coming together to showcase Greater Shepparton. Uniting for the greater good is something that Greater Shepparton excels at.”
The Special Projects category recognises exceptional and one off initiatives. Projects must assist the community and be over and above Council’s day-to-day activities.
This is the second award Council has received for Shepp Square, with the project taking home bronze at the recent RACV Victorian Tourism Awards.
The 2019 LGPro Award makes it back-to-back wins for Greater Shepparton, having won the Special Projects category in 2018 for the Greater Shepparton Great Things Happen Here campaign.
