Two New South Wales local governments have received the AR Bluett Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in local government.
Bega Valley Shire Council took out the award’s regional/rural category, while Lake Macquarie City Council was crowned the metropolitan/major regional winner.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President, Darriea Turley, congratulated the two councils on receiving the most prestigious award in local government.
“On behalf of LGNSW and all our members right across the state, I congratulate the elected representatives, general managers, council staff and communities on this wonderful accolade,” Cr Turley said.
“Both councils demonstrated excellence and progress in local government throughout the past year.
“The AR Bluett Award recognises a standard of excellence and innovation that is a shining example for all spheres of government.
“The real winners are the communities that benefit from the hard work and commitment of their elected representatives and professional staff in their councils.
“I think it’s especially pleasing to see Bega Valley Shire receive the regional/rural award as that council and their community have worked so hard to recover from the devastating bushfires of 2019/2020.”
The A.R. Bluett Memorial Award has been presented annually since 1945 in commemoration of Albert Robert Bluett, who served as the Secretary and Solicitor to the Local Government and Shires Associations of New South Wales for 30 years.
Albert Bluett was highly respected by the legal profession and by the State Government of the day and was instrumental in writing the Local Government Act of 1919.
The AR Bluett Awards are judged by three honorary Trustees – Les McMahon (Trustee Chairman), Genia McCaffery and Paul Braybrooks.
Mr McMahon said judging for the 2024 award was particularly challenging based on the excellent nominations received and that Lake Macquarie City Council and Bega Valley Shire Council were worthy recipients.
“Lake Macquarie City Council’s motto over the past ten years has been, ‘Let’s be brave, bold and courageous’, as it helped the community move from the downturn in mining and manufacturing to hospitality, health and service industries,” Mr McMahon said.
“The council embarked on a courageous strategy, proactively working to grow the city, attracting new and younger residents and insulating the economy from the downturn in traditional mining and manufactory industries.
“This resulted in an average seven per cent growth in the economy and 22,000 new jobs. The University of Newcastle found that the council was the key driver for this change.”
Mr McMahon said Bega Valley Shire Council impressed the judges with strategies to maintain its $1.9 billion worth of assets following the devastating Black Summer fires of 2019/20 and 13 subsequent disaster declarations, by guiding the growth of the shire to a more sustainable community.
“With new tertiary treated water treatment facilities in Brogo-Bermagui following the fires and the restoration of the famous Tathra Wharf, the council embarked on strategies to improve vital assets.
“It also provided future proofing for growth by developing an additional 3,000 home sites coupled with a new affordable housing strategy in Bega, providing existing residents a place to live.”
