Sutherland Shire Council has been recognised on the national stage, winning the Community Engagement Award at the 2026 Granicus Digital Government Awards, which celebrate excellence in digital innovation across Australia and New Zealand.
The award recognises Council’s Draft 10‑Year Bike Plan consultation, which set a new benchmark for inclusive, transparent and cost‑effective community engagement by empowering residents to directly shape the future of cycling across the local government area (LGA).
Mayor, Jack Boyd said the award highlighted how innovation can improve outcomes without increasing costs.
“This project shows how smart digital engagement can deliver better results for communities while using funds economically,” Mayor Boyd said.
“With modest investment, Council reached thousands of residents and gathered precise, actionable feedback that will guide cycling infrastructure priorities for the next decade.”
At the centre of the award‑winning project was an innovative use of digital mapping technology that allowed residents to provide street‑level, location‑specific feedback on existing and proposed cycling routes across at network spanning 370 square kilometres of the Sutherland Shire.
Using Granicus’ Sentiment and Feedback platform, Council transformed traditionally static consultation maps into an interactive Future Cycling Network, enabling community members to zoom into their neighbourhood, drop pins on specific locations and share detailed insights about safety, connectivity and infrastructure priorities.
This approach removed key barriers to participation and ensured feedback was practical, precise and directly relevant to Council decision‑making, the Mayor said.
Supported by a targeted, multi‑channel engagement campaign, including social media, e‑newsletters, QR‑coded flyers and community pop‑ups, the consultation achieved exceptional reach and participation. More than 64,000 people were reached through social media, 5,097 visits were recorded on the project page, 365 map pins were placed on the interactive network map, and 383 survey responses were received. The consultation outcomes newsletter achieved a 97% open rate, all delivered with less than $400 in paid digital advertising.
The campaign attracted a wide cross‑section of the community, engaging families, young riders, commuters, local businesses and experienced cyclists through both online and in‑person opportunities.
The high volume and quality of community feedback directly informed the final Draft Bike Plan, resulting in changes to proposed routes, identification of previously unknown local connections and improved prioritisation of cycling infrastructure investment.
The 10‑Year Bike Plan was adopted by Council in December 2025 and can be viewed here.
