Fourteen city and regional NSW councils have taken home awards at the 2023 Local Government Week Awards.
The awards, held at Sydney’s Doltone House overnight, saw Singleton Council, Gunnedah Shire Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council, Penrith City Council and Hawkesbury City Council each collect two awards.
“These awards help move the conversation beyond the traditional roads, rates and rubbish by demonstrating the far-reaching role councils’ play in their communities,” said LGNSW President, Darriea Turley said.
“The real winners are the communities which the councils represent.”
Singleton Council took out top place in Planning for its proactive ‘Building Capacity Program’, designed to transition people through the building certification accreditation process and address a shortage of qualified professionals in the field, and the Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Award – Delivery of an Arts and Cultural Project for the ‘We are Singleton: Portrait of a Town’ exhibition, a two-year social documentary of Singleton showcasing 100 portraits of local people.
Singleton was also a finalist for the Best Local Program for NSW Youth Week, and the RH Dougherty Award for Innovation in Special Events for the Singleton Firelight Festival 2022.
Council’s General Manager, Jason Linnane said the awards were due recognition for the industry-leading ideas and hard work happening in Council.
“The annual Local Government NSW Awards is the ”grand final” for our industry in NSW. To win one is terrific, but to win two and be a finalist for another two is simply amazing. As a small, regional Council, it’s proof that we really do punch above our weight,” he said.
“Most importantly, the projects highlighted at the presentation are delivering fantastic outcomes for the people in our community.
“The majority of these programs have been supported by NSW Government grant funding, such as the Resource for Regions program, and the reality is that without these opportunities, these projects simply would not happen and we are extremely grateful for our ongoing partnerships with other tiers of government. The benefits to our community are far greater than the monetary value.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful elected Council, supported by a fantastic team of professionals dedicated to creating community here in Singleton, and I’m extremely proud of their hard work that is seeing Singleton recognised at the highest level.”
The Awards covered included:
- The RH Dougherty Events and Communications Awards
- The Leo Kelly OAM Art and Culture Awards
- The LGNSW Planning Awards, and
- The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) NSW Youth Week Awards
On hand were NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig MP as well as the Minister for Youth, Rose Jackson MLC.
All of the awards were judged by panels of experts who commented on the high standard of entries being considered.
Other winners on the night were: