Regional councils dominated the field at a series of special awards handed out to mark Local Government Week, 29 July – 4 August 2019.
Regional and rural councils took out all but one of the RH Dougherty Awards handed out by Local Government New South Wales (LGNSW) to encourage and recognise best practice communication by councils to their local communities.
Upper Hunter Shire, Bathurst Regional, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Mid-Western Regional, Bega Valley Shire, Tweed Shire, Bland Shire, Queanbeyan Palerang Regional and Walgett Shire Councils were all big winners, along with Rous County Council in the Northern Rivers region and Randwick City Council.
A high standard of nominations meant a number of councils were also highly commended for their work, including Parkes Shire, Inner West, City of Canada Bay, Cessnock City, Edward River, and Waverley Councils.
President LGNSW, Linda Scott, said, “Great two-way communication strengthens local democracy and helps ensure we all have a say in our future.”
The Local Government Minister, Shelley Hancock, said each year’s winners’ list raised the bar in exceptional achievement.
“This week local communities have celebrated and acknowledged all their local councils do to make a difference to their daily lives – beyond what we traditionally consider to be councils’ roles and responsibilities.
Also announced at the ceremony were the winners of the Leo Kelly Arts and Culture Awards: Snowy Valleys Council, Bathurst Regional Council, Mosman Council and the City of Canada Bay.
Planning Awards were handed out to Coffs Harbour City Council and North Sydney Council, with individual leadership gongs awarded to Elizabeth Lambert of Lake Macquarie City Council and Monica Cologna of Cumberland Council.
Youth Week Awards went to Brewarrina Shire, Forbes Shire, Walgett Shire and Camden councils.
