Former mayor turned NSW MP Michael Regan has been recognised with a top award from the state’s peak local government body.

At a council meeting last week Mr Regan was awarded the prestigious LGNSW Emeritus Mayor Award, handed to mayors who have demonstrated exemplary service during their tenure.

The Emeritus Mayor Award is one of four awards granted to elected officials each year by LGNSW

Now a sitting independent member for the state seat of Wakehurst, Mr Regan served on Warringah and Northern Beaches Councils for 15 years, and was elected as the first Mayor of the newly formed Northern Beaches Council in 2017.

Climate champion

He was instrumental in driving climate action at Council, overseeing the switch to 100 per cent renewable energy across all buildings and sites and leading the charge for more electric vehicles and charging stations in the LGA.

During his terms as mayor, Council was able to reduce its carbon footprint by 80 per cent and cut its energy bills by millions of dollars.

 Mr Regan also played a key role in guiding Council and the community through Covid-19, delivering innovative library and business intiatives.

LGNSW President Darriea Turley said Mr Regan’s service to the people of Warringah and the Northern Beaches should be applauded.

“Whether it was taking ministers on tours of local bushland, introducing local surf club members to the Premier or banging on the door of a health minister demanding extra shelters for domestic violence victims, Michael never held back,” she said.

Councils recognised

Meanwhile, NSW councils have also been honoured at annual LGNSW awards announced in Sydney last week to celebrate local government excellence across a range of categories including arts and culture, events, communications and planning.

Narrabri Shire Council won multiple awards including an RH Dougherty Award for excellence in communication for its ‘Good Talk Great Mate’ podcast for young people, and an LGNSW Planning Award for its community-facing online flood portal.

Hawkesbury City Council also won multiple awards including a Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Award for its community project, Bangadyi Nawi (Making a Canoe), and an RH Dougherty Award for Excellence in Communications for its river safety campaign.

Other winners included Wollongong City Council and Rous County Council, who took out RH Dougherty Communications Awards, and Coonable Shire Council, Burwood Council, and The Hills Shire Council, who won RH Dougherty Special Events Awards.

Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Awards were presented to Gilgandra Shire Council and City of Newcastle, while City of Canada Bay Council, Campbelltown City Council and Canberra Region Joint Organisations picked up LGNSW Planning Awards.

Cr Turley congratulated all award recipients and nominees, saying the association was proud to showcase the work being done in local government.

“These awards have once again demonstrated how councils have gone above and beyond in what has been another particularly challenging year for many,” she said.

“Whether it be rural, regional or metropolitan areas, it is local government that is on the ground at the frontline, keeping the heart of their communities beating.”

The Local Government Week Awards were established in 1981 to recognise and encourage greater understanding and communication by councils to their communities.

See the full list of winners here.