Hawkesbury City Council was among winners at the 2026 Local Government NSW Awards, receiving recognition for its 2025 – 2029 Cultural Plan.
The awards were presented at a gala dinner on Thursday 6 August at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney, bringing together councils from across NSW to celebrate outstanding achievements by councils and individuals working in local government.
WINNER – Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Award: Arts and Cultural Strategy/Plan – Hawkesbury City Council Cultural Plan 2025–2029
The Hawkesbury Cultural Plan 2025–2029 is a community-driven framework shaped by more than 1,000 local voices through 18 months of extensive engagement. Developed in-house with best-practice guidance from JOC Consulting, it responds directly to the realities of a geographically dispersed, diverse and environmentally impacted region.
The Plan translates community-identified challenges including disconnection, limited visibility of local creatives and barriers to participation, into practical cultural action. Structured around the themes of People, Place and Connection, it is an operational framework already guiding Council’s decisions, investment and service delivery.
Importantly, the Plan outlines strategic and financially responsible actions that align with Council’s existing budgets and focus on delivering strong value and meaningful outcomes for the community.
As Council’s first Cultural Plan in almost 20 years, this recognition is especially significant for the Hawkesbury’s arts and cultural sector and the broader community. The award acknowledges the value of listening closely to the community and using those insights to shape relevant, accessible and responsive cultural programs, services and opportunities.
You can access Hawkesbury City Council Cultural Plan here.
