A community-centred approach to communicating and decision-making has attracted recognition for Wingecarribee Shire in this year’s Local Government Week Awards in the Planning and RH Dougherty Events and Communications Excellence Categories. Together with community members, we’re making changes that will shape an even better future for our Shire, and Awards for our efforts are an indication of good things to come.
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s commitment to creating more opportunity for residents to get involved in our planning and decision-making is bringing about better outcomes for projects and community initiatives. The results are being noticed, with two of the three nominations earning an Award for our Shire, in an encouraging start to the new financial year.
2023 LGNSW Award for Excellence in Planning and Development Services
A Strategic Place Plan for Robertson, developed through a community-guided, collaborative approach, has won the Award for Excellence in Planning and Development Services, at the 2023 LGNSW Week Awards.
These Awards are focused on leadership and cultural change, innovation and excellence, recognising actions to promote co-operation and participation in the delivery of outcomes in planning and development.
“How rewarding for the Robertson Community and our dedicated team to see our collective efforts recognised by industry in this way,” says Council Administrator Mr Viv May. “Better outcomes for our community will continue to be achieved through a collaborative approach to planning for our future.”
The first Place Plan to be approached in a new way, its success will leave a lasting legacy. “The community told us the previous Council’s ‘top down’ approach was insufficient to meet community needs and aspirations,” Mr May said. “The changes made created a positive planning environment by providing a wide range of opportunities for every voice in the Robertson community to be heard and contribute ideas to the vision of their village, from surveys and consultation sessions to word cloud and even a photographic competition.” The community-guided approach will now be carried forward across all Council Planning and Development services.
2023 RH Dougherty Events & Communications Awards for Excellence in Communication
Services for our Seniors are a priority for the Wingecarribee community and Council, and our inclusive campaign for this year’s Senior’s Festival has won an award for Excellence in Communication. These Awards encourage Council’s to grow greater understanding and drive meaningful communication with their local communities.
Effectively engaging our seniors with a colourful campaign across comprehensive channels generated wide-spread interest. 856 people took part in 35 festival events over 12 days. Valuable feedback will be factored into building on the success of this approach with all future initiatives for our seniors.
Another of Council’s most popular community initiatives, Sustainable Us, was also a finalist in the Excellence in Communication category with a series of engaging YouTube videos. The innovative approach to addressing global warming concerns and promoting environmentally sustainable living was shared across digital channels, direct mail, traditional media, and in collaboration with local business and community groups
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