A smart flood warning system and a landfill that converts gas to power are among the projects that received accolades at the 2017 National Awards for Local Government.
The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of local councils providing Australian communities with a wide range of new or improved, high-quality, cost-effective services.
Minister for Local Government and Territories Fiona Nash said entries were of the highest standard, demonstrating that local leadership can make a real difference.
“Importantly the awards provide all those involved in planning and implementing these innovative projects with the national recognition they deserve," she said.
“The awards present an opportunity to celebrate the essential role local governments play in generating social change and economic growth across Australia.
“I congratulate all the nominees and winners for this year's awards.”
The category winners are:
- Tasmania's Meander Valley Council for its Valley Central Industrial Precinct, Westbury, Tasmania project, in the Contributing to Regional Growth category
- Victoria's Southern Grampians Shire Council for its Digital Transformation of a rural community—a journey project, in the Digital Innovation in Local Government category
- Western Australia's Shire of Kalamunda for its Youth Employment project, in the Youth Economic Participation category
- Queensland's Gladstone Regional Council for its Waste Powering Gladstone's Greener Future: The Benaraby Landfill Gas-to-Power Project, in the Boosting Productivity through Infrastructure category
- South Australia's Coorong District Council for its Creating Coonalpyn project in the Arts Animates—excellence in the capacity building and innovation category
- Queensland's Brisbane City Council for its Brisbane Access and Inclusion Plan 2012—2017 Implementation project, in the Disability Access and Inclusion category
- South Australia's City of West Torrens for its Summer Festival project in the Multicultural Australia—Strength in Diversity category
- Queensland's Logan City Council for its Flooded Road Smart Warning System project, in the Excellence in Road Safety category
- Victoria's Wyndham City Council for its WynLens—Visualisation, Analysis and Modelling of Holographic City project, in the Innovation to Create More Liveable Australian Cities category
- New South Wales' Sutherland Shire Council for its Ngnamapa Kililpil: OUR STARS project, in the Promoting Indigenous Recognition category
The winner of the 2017 National Award for Excellence in Local Government will be announced at the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly Dinner on 20 June.