A challenging year of drought, bushfires and a global pandemic has not stopped councils from carrying out award-winning work for their communities, demonstrated by the broad range of regional and metropolitan winners in this year's Local Government Week Awards.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) today presented its annual RH Dougherty Awards, Leo Kelly OAM Art and Culture Awards and LGNSW Planning Awards, recognising outstanding achievement by councils on behalf of their local communities.
Among this year's winners:
- City of Parramatta's Night City Framework 2020-2024, a comprehensive plan to build capacity in the city to make the most of its growing night-time economy;
- Parkes Shire Council's Apollo 11 campaign and community event activation, a strategic planning process to create a compelling event that has potential to become an annual feature of the local events calendar;
- A Gunnedah Shire Council-supported project to create a new rainbow serpent water feature in the town, led by a group of local Aboriginal women;
- Bathurst Shire Council's repurposing of a local historical building to create a rail museum for locals and visitors;
- Central Coast Council's Waterway Report Card, designed to educate the community on the impact of their actions on local waterways and foster pride in the natural asset;
LGNSW President Linda Scott was joined by Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock in congratulating the award recipients in an online presentation ceremony hosted earlier today.
"Councils provide local leadership and these awards, along with Local Government Week, highlight just some of the services and support they are committed to providing," Cr Scott said.
"Every year I am so impressed with the high quality of submissions – not just the winners but the entries that are highly commended and even the ones that miss out – and this year it's no different.
"It's especially remarkable when you consider the added pressures that drought, bushfires and more recently COVID-19 have placed on communities and their councils.
"NSW councils have a history of punching well above their weight and making every local dollar count, as these awards ably demonstrate."
Minister Hancock said this year's winners' list reflected the great outcomes hard working councils were able to achieve.
"The winners of the 2020 LGNSW Local Government Week Awards provide outstanding examples of the many things councils do to make their local communities a great place to work, live and play," Minister Hancock said.
"Local Government Week is a great opportunity to let people know the support and services at their fingertips through their local councils.
"Councils are the heart of our communities and the dedicated and committed staff are the heart of our councils.
"I also want to thank LGNSW for showcasing the wonderful work councils are doing across the State."
Cr Scott said LGNSW appreciated the continuing opportunities to work with the State Government to help support councils across the State.
See the full list of award recipients.
