Nominations are now open for the 2020 Australian Government National Awards for Local Government, creating fantastic opportunities to celebrate the best of the best.
Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government Mark Coulton said the awards recognise the hard work local councils put into finding innovative and resourceful ways to improve services.
Speaking at the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s quarterly meeting in Hobart today, Minister Coulton encouraged all councils to nominate for the awards.
“The awards are a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate and showcase the innovative projects being undertaken by local government in regional areas and capital cities,” Minister Coulton said.
“Local government is at the coalface; when people want action and to see projects implemented in their community, councils are often the first door people knock on. These awards recognise the innovative ways local governments are delivering for their residents.”
Minister Coulton said Tasmania’s George Town Council took out the Contributing to Regional Growth award at this year’s event for their Bell Bay Initiative.
Minister Coulton said the Bell Bay Initiative involves getting private industry to work together with the different levels of government, creating internships for young adult job seekers across a variety of local businesses. This has helped address skills shortages and decreased barriers to employment.
“This kind of idea is incredibly valuable, because if we are to keep our regional communities alive, we must create opportunities for young people,” he said.
This year’s awards will include a new category – the Minister Coulton Award for Progressive Leadership.
“The new category reflects my belief in the central role of community leadership in helping communities to prosper,” Minister Coulton said.
Winners will be announced in March 2020 and the national winner will be announced at the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly dinner on 15 June 2020.
Nominations for the National Awards for Local Government 2020 will close on Friday, 7 February 2020.
