2012 Winners

LOCAL GOVERNMENT – BUILDING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES

SponsorsThe 2012 National Awards for Local Government are proudly sponsored by:

Attorney-General’s Department

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Department of Health and Ageing

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Department of Infrastructure and Transport

Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

National Road Safety Council

Office for the Arts, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport

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LocaL government – BUILDIng aUStraLIan commUnItIeS

Minister’s MessageThis year marks 26 years of the National Awards for Local Government which recognise the positive contribution local governments make to their communities. Australia’s 556 elected councils play a fundamental role in building, supporting and strengthening our communities. The Australian Government is continuing to work with our councils to seek out new ideas and partnerships to improve the way we serve regions and communities, and continue to secure economic prosperity.

The 2012 Awards support significant projects that add value to local government and their regions. Stand-out ideas and innovation deserve celebration and national recognition beyond the local community.

The winners in this booklet are being recognised for their policies, programs and initiatives across a broad range of important responsibilities.

There were over 370 entries received this year for the Awards. This is a tribute to the sector and proof of the growth in community-based initiatives to address the social, economic and environmental priorities of different regions.

All 16 categories for 2012 have been sponsored by various Australian Government departments and agencies. This highlights the breadth of the relationship between the local government sector and the Commonwealth’s national policy agenda. I would like to thank our sponsors, whose support ensures the ongoing recognition of local government excellence and innovation.

I also wish to thank our national and category judging panels who had the difficult task of choosing this year’s winners out of a very competitive pool of entries.

In 2012, local councils were given the opportunity to enter a number of new categories including:

• Active Arts

• Energy Smart

• Excellence in Road Safety

• Improving Services to Remote Communities

• Innovation in Natural Resource Management

• Land-Use Planning - Addressing Disaster Risk and Enhancing Resilience

• Rural and Remote Health

• Strength in Diversity.

The growth of the Awards is another step forward in our agenda of national support and recognition for local community-driven development.

Localism can be the greatest generator of our nation’s collective strength, diversity and prosperity. But it requires leadership and vision to develop and drive the ideas.

I thank all those councils that participated in the 2012 Awards and congratulate both the Category and National Winners.

The Hon Simon Crean MP

Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Minister for the Arts

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The National Awards for Local Government highlight the excellent and innovative work being undertaken by local government in communities across Australia to improve business practices within councils and service delivery to communities.

The national awards recognise ingenuity, resourcefulness and self reliance. They also identify and promote councils that are finding new ways of delivering services and developing local solutions to complex and challenging problems.

National Winners

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National Awards for Excellence

LocaL government – BUILDIng aUStraLIan commUnItIeS

National Award for ExcellenceMoreland City Council, VICCALDCOM Storyboards

With their Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communication (CALDCOM) Storyboards, Moreland City Council went back to basics to find a solution to improve the way council connects and communicates with its culturally diverse community.

The CALDCOM Storyboards use a collection of characters representing the different community groups in the council area to disseminate vital information to all members of the community through stories and pictures. Storyboards have been developed on a wide range of themes which are relevant to all local governments, including council services, civic life and what life is like in Australia.

Moreland’s City Council’s comprehensive community consultation process ensured that this approach of using illustrations to tell a story was an effective method to educate, inform, to help break down communication barriers, and to encourage inclusiveness and community cohesion.

The success of CALDCOM Storyboards is meeting the needs of 132 community language groups in the council area, reducing the need to produce expensive multiple translations of information and can be adapted for use in other culturally diverse councils.

To learn more about the project, see page 40.

National Award for Excellence (small council, under 15 000 rateable properties)Golden Plains Shire Council, VICVisit Golden Plains Tourism Smartphone/Tablet App and Website Digital Infrastructure Project

Golden Plains Shire Council’s Smartphone application features an interactive map of the region, including helpful visitor information and landmark images all designed to assist tourists in finding and enjoying the attractions and facilities. This technology enables visitors to access information about the Golden Plains anywhere, anytime from the convenience of a Smartphone, iPad or Android tablet.

The Golden Plains Shire Council has stepped outside the square and through the use of innovative information technology, provided a new avenue to encourage economic growth in their community. The council is commended for shifting from traditional information services to embrace the power and adaptability of apps. This shift helps lead the way for other councils to develop service delivery beyond online transactions. The development of a comprehensive and simple-to-use application has assisted greatly in promoting tourism in the Golden Plains Shire.

To learn more about the project, see page 26.

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Category Winner

Golden Plains Shire Council, VICVisit Golden Plains Tourism Smartphone / Tablet App and Website Digital Infrastructure Project

Golden Plains Shire is a vibrant and progressive small rural municipality situated between Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne in regional Victoria. Golden Plains is the link between three of the most popular tourism destinations in Victoria—Geelong, the Great Ocean Road and the Ballarat Goldfields.

Taking a trip in the Golden Plains has been made easier with the launch of a new tourist Smartphone application.

The Smartphone application features an interactive map of Golden Plains, including helpful visitor information and landmark images all designed to assist tourists in finding and enjoying the attractions. It also identifies important locations such as public toilets, food stops, petrol and eftpos facilities.

This technology enables people to access information about the Golden Plains anywhere, anytime from the convenience of a Smartphone, iPad or Android tablet.

This technology confirms that the Golden Plains Shire Council has been proactive in its investment in tourism infrastructure. This initiative is a shining example of a progressive approach to economic development.

Historically, council has built and restored tourism infrastructure and co-located amenities, ranging from nature trails and parklands through to major tourist attractions such as the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market and Flagstaff Hill Lookout in an effort to attract visitors to the region.

Council’s role is now to facilitate and collaborate with regional tourism bodies and neighbouring municipalities that have been integral to the successful market testing and deployment of the technology.

The Golden Plains Shire Council’s Smartphone application is a vital economic development infrastructure, which connects visitors to the experiences, businesses and attractions of the region with one simple touch.

By having a sound project planning framework and involving the community at the earliest possible stages, the Golden Plains Smartphone application is a true reflection of council’s innovative approach to infrastructure development. Importantly, the technology continues to create real value for local businesses and enhances the wider regional tourism industry.

Contact: Ms Jessica Chappell

Telephone: 03 5220 7111

E-mail: jchappell@gplains.vic.gov.au

winner

category

(small council, under 15 000 rateable properties)Innovative infrastructure development