Bland Shire Council is proud to announce that it has been named as a finalist in two categories at the upcoming 2025 Local Government Excellence Awards. These nominations highlight Bland Shire's commitment to creativity, collaboration, and delivering positive community outcomes.
The first finalist nomination is for the Youth Centre External Art Project. This creative initiative engaged local young people in the design and painting of a vibrant mural at the Bland Shire Youth Centre. The project not only transformed a public space, making it more welcoming and reflective of community spirit, but also fostered youth engagement, creativity, and pride. It is a shining example of Bland Shire Council's commitment to empowering young people and celebrating local talent.
The second finalist nomination is for the Audit Alliance project, involving Bland, Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Junee, Lockhart, and Temora councils. In response to new NSW Government guidelines for internal audits, Bland Shire took a leading role within the already-established Alliance by setting up independent audit committees, engaging a shared Internal Audit Coordinator, and managing the coordination of audit processes. This collaborative approach achieved significant cost savings — reducing costs by approximately 75% compared to councils operating independently — while strengthening governance, enhancing regulatory compliance, and improving overall audit effectiveness.
Mayor Brian Monaghan said the double finalist nomination reflects the hard work, innovation, and community-focused approach of Council.
"It's a huge honour to be recognised twice at this year's awards," Mayor Monaghan said. "Both projects demonstrate that Bland Shire is committed to strong partnerships, good governance, and community engagement — from inspiring our youth to leading innovative regional collaborations."
Winners will be announced at the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards Dinner in June in Sydney.
