Outstanding achievers in local government have been recognised today, with 13 category winners announced for the 2025 National Awards for Local Government.
Now in their 39th year, the awards celebrate inspirational service delivery, acknowledging the important role local government plays in improving the daily lives of Australians.
Ninety-five local governing bodies across Australia made a total of 192 submissions for projects addressing critical topics such as regional growth, road safety and environmental sustainability.
Joining these topics as a category for the first time this year was affordable housing, to recognise projects addressing housing needs for communities.
The outstanding rural and remote council category was also new this year, to honour the achievements of smaller remote or rural councils with a population of 15,000 people or less, who entered any of the other 12 award categories.
The list of this year's category winners is below, with more details on each project available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/local-government/national-awards-local-government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:
"This year saw the most submissions ever received in the history of these awards, showcasing the hard work of local governments in delivering targeted, quality services to their communities - even in the face of adversity like natural disasters.
"I'd like to congratulate the category winners, and all the applicants, for this year's local government awards.
"Your projects and the enormous efforts behind them are having real and positive impacts for communities, bringing them together and elevating local amenity."
2025 National Awards for Local Government category winners:
| Category | Winning Council | Winning project name |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's Recognition | West Arnhem Regional Council | West Arnhem Youth Leadership Summit |
| Addressing Violence against Women and Children | City of Stirling | Naala Djookan Healing Centre |
| Affordable Housing | Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council | Palm Island Housing Investment Scheme |
| Arts and Culture | City of Gosnells | 2024 Fusion Food and Culture Festival |
| Cohesive Communities | City of Stirling | Walking Together Local Convos |
| Disaster Readiness and Recovery | City of Wanneroo | Mariginiup Bushfire - From preparedness to recovery, a community-first approach |
| Environmental Sustainability | Town of Victoria Park | Bird Waterers - Cockitroughs |
| Outstanding Rural and Remote Council |
Parkes Shire Council | Fleet Optimisation and Innovation - A smarter approach to asset management |
| Productivity through Infrastructure | City of Stirling | Hamersley Public Golf Course Redevelopment |
| Regional Growth | Shire of Murray | The Exchange Hotel, Pinjarra |
| Road Safety | Blacktown City Council | Risks of NOT planting trees along our streets |
| Women in Local Government | City of Wanneroo | Kirsten Thrush & Katie Russell - Leading the disaster recovery from Mariginiup Bushfire |
| Workforce and Skills | Burwood Council | Breaking Barriers - Growing the Learn to Swim workforce |
Photographs from the award ceremony available here: https://communicationsgovau.box.com/s/j5ljark5bnehu4au5pn6zwlzx7k0vxlg
