Pictured are: Manager Destination Communication & Customer Experience Tiffany Stodart, Director Corporate Services Michael Chorlton and Corporate Planning and Performance Specialist Kim Wilson.
An annual report is not usually something residents sit down to read. Tweed Shire Council has spent years working to change that, and its Annual Report 2024–2025 has now earned a third consecutive Silver Award at the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA) for its commitment to making reporting transparent and easy to understand.
What sets this year apart is not just the result on its own, but how the report got there. Each year, Council creates a report using feedback from ARA assessors and the community, shifting it away from a dense compliance document towards a clearer, story-led account of what Council has done and why it matters. The 2024–2025 report leans even further into a storytelling approach to make it a more engaging and transparent report for the community.
The ARA recognises best practice in reporting across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors throughout the Asia-Pacific region and is regarded as a benchmark for transparency and clear communication.
Council's Director Corporate Services Michael Chorlton said 3 consecutive Silver Awards showed clear reporting had become part of how Council works.
"Anyone can have a good year, but doing this 3 years running tells us it's now part of how we operate," Mr Chorlton said.
"We're not just reporting on what we've done, we're telling the story of how we're delivering on our shared long-term vision for the Tweed, in a way the community can actually follow."
Council adopted its Annual Report 2024–2025 on 20 November 2025. The report is a key part of the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Framework, which connects the community's long-term vision with Council's day-to-day work.
The community's shared vision during the reporting period was that the Tweed will be recognised for its desirable lifestyle, strong community, unique character and environment, and the opportunities its residents enjoy. The vision has since been updated following community consultation and now recognises the Tweed's diverse economy.
The Annual Report tracks our progress towards our shared vision by measuring what we've achieved from our Delivery Program and Operational Plan.
For the 2024–2025 period, progress included the recovery and renewal of much of the Tweed after successive flood events.
Highlights across Council's 4 streams
- Protecting – adoption of the Tweed Conservation Strategy and restoration of the Mooball Creek seawalls at Pottsville.
- Living – completion of major flood restoration works particularly our road network and installation of new flood monitoring cameras across the Tweed.
- Thriving – strong economic and tourism outcomes, including the continued success of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and record visitation at the Tweed Regional Gallery.
- Growing – continued focus on housing supply and reducing development assessment backlogs.
Mr Chorlton said the result reflected the work of staff across the organisation.
"Preparing the Annual Report is a significant undertaking, and this result reflects the hard work and collaboration of teams right across Council," he said.
"We're committed to improving each year so our reporting stays clear, transparent and relevant to our community."
The award-winning Annual Report 2024–2025 is available at Annual and financial reports | Tweed Shire Council
