Mid-Western Regional Council and Northern Beaches Council have been awarded the prestigious AR Bluett Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in local government.
Mid-Western Regional Council took out the award’s Regional/Rural category, while Northern Beaches Council was crowned the Metropolitan winner.
LGNSW President Darriea Turley congratulated the two councils on their win.
“Mid-Western Regional Council and Northern Beaches Council are both very worthy recipients of the AR Bluett Award as both have demonstrated excellence and progress in local government throughout the past year,” Cr Turley said.
“On behalf of LGNSW, I congratulate the councillors, council staff and the communities from both councils on this terrific accolade.”
The AR Bluett Memorial Award has been awarded annually since 1945 in commemoration of Albert Robert Bluett, who served as the Secretary and Solicitor to the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW for 30 years.
Mr Bluett was highly respected by the legal profession and Ministers of the crown, and was instrumental in writing the Local Government Act of 1919.
The AR Bluett Awards are judged by the three honorary Trustees – Les McMahon (Trustee Chairman), Genia McCaffery and Paul Braybrooks OAM.
Mr McMahon said judging for this year’s award was particularly tough based on the excellent nominations received.
Mr McMahon said Mid-Western Regional Council completed a number of key projects over the past year that improved customer service and diversified the local economy.
“Mid-Western Regional Council’s focus on driving improvements across all facets of its organisation has delivered enormous benefits for its community,” Mr McMahon said.
“It completed a range of projects including the Mudgee Arts Precinct and Stage 2 of the Glen Willow Regional Sporting Complex, while also undertaken a range of customer service improvements.”
Northern Beaches Council, meanwhile, led its community through a number of challenges including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented wet weather events.
“Despite the challenges, Northern Beaches Council was still able to deliver a $76 million capital works program, with a focus on resilient and sustainable infrastructure, while also undertaking a comprehensive community services program to assist all members of its community,” Mr McMahon added.
Mr McMahon thanked all the councils who took the time to nominate for the AR Bluett Memorial Award.
“Despite all the hurdles local government has had to overcome this year, it was heartening to see councils right across NSW achieving so much for the benefit of their communities.”
