Singleton Council and Inner West Council have been awarded the prestigious AR Bluett Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in local government.
Singleton Council took out the award's regional/rural category, while Inner West Council was crowned the metropolitan winner.
LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM congratulated the two councils on their win.
"Singleton Council and Inner West Council are both very worthy recipients of the AR Bluett Award as both have demonstrated excellence and progress in local government throughout the past year," Cr Turley said.
"On behalf of LGNSW, I congratulate the councillors, council staff and the communities from both councils on this terrific accolade."
The AR Bluett Memorial Award has been awarded annually since 1945 in commemoration of Albert Robert Bluett, who served as the Secretary and Solicitor to the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW for 30 years.
Albert Bluett was highly respected by the legal profession and State Government of the day and was instrumental in writing the Local Government Act of 1919.
The AR Bluett Awards are judged by the three honorary Trustees - Les McMahon (Trustee Chairman), Genia McCaffery and Paul Braybrooks OAM.
According to Les McMahon, both Councils were worthy winners.
"We were impressed by Singleton Council's support in investing in new emerging pathways for a coal mining community which is in transition," Mr McMahon said.
"We were enthused by their aligned partnership with Business Singleton, producing a close working relationship with the many small business, and in particular business and employment support programs.
"Their financial position is also very sound and has endeavoured to maximise voluntary planning agreements and unused road sales to provide $30 million in reserves for future capital works."
He said Inner West Council had forged three previous inner west councils into a vibrant, responsive and community focused organisation.
"Customer experiences have outperformed against other like sized councils," he said.
"Environmental leadership is paramount to the success of the council, being the first council to be powered with 100% renewable energy and be 100% divested from fossil fuels."
He said Inner West Council had also delivered $22 million in savings since amalgamation.
