Deadline: 13-Mar-23
Nominations are now open for the 2023 National Awards for Local Government (National Awards) an annual celebration of local government achievements in Australia.
The National Awards highlight initiatives implemented by local governments that are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display excellence, and have outcomes that are replicable across the country.
2023 Award Categories
Women in Local Government
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The 'Women in Local Government' category recognises initiatives and female leaders in local government which:
- support local women to stand for elected roles to represent their communities;
- implement initiatives in the workplace which help to improve the progress and representation of women in leadership positions;
- establish programs to support and recognise women as current and emerging leaders, including mentoring, networking and training opportunities; and/or
- showcase an outstanding female leader who is making a positive difference to their local government and community.
Waste Management
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The 'Waste Management' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- improve resource recovery and reduce amounts of waste generated in order to benefit human health, the environment and the economy;
- increase use of recycled material and build demand and markets for recycled products;
- better manage input and output of waste materials, to benefit human health, environment and economy;
- improve information to support innovation, guide investment and enable informed community decisions relating to waste management; and/or
- support the transition to a circular economy by transforming waste into sustainable resources.
Road Safety
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The 'Road Safety' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- improve road or roadside infrastructure with a focus on safety benefits including heavy vehicle transport;
- improve emergency medical response services for those involved in road crashes; and/or
- address the specific safety needs of vulnerable groups or target specific road user risk factors.
Regional Growth
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The 'Regional Growth' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- improve the liveability of a region and take advantage of region-specific opportunities;
- empower vibrant and connected regional communities that promote diversity and inclusion; and/or
- strengthen investment and development opportunities, share resources, build local capability, and create jobs.
Productivity through Infrastructure
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The 'Productivity through Infrastructure' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- utilise technological innovations or regulatory changes;
- consider sustainability, liveability and productivity in investment strategies and planning; and/or
- address long-term infrastructure priorities and offer clear economic productivity benefits.
Indigenous Recognition
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The 'Indigenous Recognition' category recognises Indigenous initiatives and employees in local government which:
- achieve representation of Indigenous people in their community and inform local government activities and policies;
- overcome inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples through community-based policies and programs that are done in partnership with local Indigenous people;
- have explicit Indigenous employment goals, strategies and support mechanisms such as Indigenous cadetship programs, mentoring and cultural awareness initiatives; and/or
- have an outstanding Indigenous employee who is making a difference to their community and workplace by delivering high quality initiatives and outcomes.
Disaster Preparedness
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The 'Disaster Preparedness' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- support communities to manage and adapt to climatic events by investing in disaster prevention, recovery and preparedness;
- actively reduce risks from disasters and pandemics, particularly as they impact local communities;
- ensure the Australian community is prepared to endure more frequent challenging events; and/or
- implement programs and policies that ensure communities survive and prosper following these events.
Creativity and Culture
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The 'Creativity and Culture' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- create opportunities to showcase the best of communities through arts and culture;
- embrace wellbeing and diversity, and encourage social inclusion through community participation in artistic activities; and/or
- leverage arts and culture to improve community sustainability and increase local economic opportunity.
Cohesive Communities
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The 'Cohesive Communities' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- sustain and celebrate the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of the society;
- foster a sense of belonging, identity and shared values and promote civic rights and responsibilities;
- develop accessible infrastructure to encourage participation in the local community and build community harmony; and/or
- celebrate the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of the community and foster an inclusive and respectful community.
Career Starter
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The 'Career Starter' category recognises outstanding career starter initiatives in local government which:
- support entry-level employment opportunities in local government through apprenticeships, traineeships or cadetships;
- implement initiatives in the workplace which help to improve the progress and representation of junior employees;
- establish programs to support and encourage emerging leaders, including mentoring, networking and training opportunities; and/or
- demonstrate an outstanding apprentice, trainee or cadet who is making a difference to their community and workplace and that has been outstanding in all aspects of their training.
Addressing Violence against Women and their Children
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The 'Addressing Violence against Women and their Children' category recognises local government initiatives which:
- address underlying causes of gender inequality and power imbalances to eliminate violence against women and their children;
- support and advocate for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence and sexual harassment; and/or
- rise awareness and create cultures and communities of respect, inclusion and gender equality.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible entities: All elected local government organisations, local government associations and other recognised organisations that provide direct services to Australian communities are eligible to enter an initiative. If developed with other organisations, the local government entity must be the lead applicant. All entries require endorsement by council management prior to entry.
- Ineligible entities: Local governments that are under administration for any reason other than amalgamation are ineligible.
- Primary entry: One local government organisation must be the lead on every entry. This is the case even when the entry has multiple collaborating partners with other councils or organisations. Acknowledgment and reference to those partners can be made in the entry submission.
- Funding partners: Councils that receive funding from other bodies (including the Australian Government) may enter, but one local government entity must be the leading entity for the entry.
Entry Requirements
- Each entry must fulfil the following criteria to be eligible.
- Be an eligible entity
- Have received endorsement from your council management for the entry.
- Ensure the initiative has not previously won a National Award or received an honourable mention in any category.
- Complete all contact details at the beginning of the entry form.
- Provide an overview (maximum 350 words) that describes your initiative, what it does, the issue that it addresses, how it fits into the category, who it benefits and what community outcomes it is providing.
- Upload 5 media items (images and/or video) that represent your initiative.
For more information, visit Australian Government.
