Lake Macquarie City Council has been recognised as the best local government in New South Wales.
Council was named winner of the coveted AR Bluett Memorial Award in the city and regional councils category during a ceremony Sunday night at the Local Government NSW annual conference in Tamworth.
Awarded annually since 1945, the award is contested each year by the 128 councils in NSW who would like to be recognised as the most progressive in the state.
“It’s a great honour to accept the Bluett award on behalf of Lake Macquarie Council and the 220,000 people in our city we serve,” said Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz. “I’d like to thank my elected council colleagues and the 1,300-plus Lake Macquarie City Council staff who make our city and our organisation what it is every day. The staff are the ones who get their hands dirty on a daily basis for the betterment of Lake Macquarie.”
Shultz said local government was “all about enriching our communities, recognising and celebrating culture and facilitating growth and economic prosperity while protecting the environment. At its very core, it is about setting an example for the rest of the community to follow.”
Shultz – who grew up in Lake Macquarie and has served eight years as a councillor – added: “I know that we are collectively trying to grow and shape our city to make it a place where our kids, their kids and all future generations love and can be all that they aspire to be.”
LGNSW president Darriea Turley, who presented Shultz with the award, congratulated council on receiving local government’s most prestigious prize. “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,” she said.
Bega Shire Council won best council in the regional/rural category.
“Both councils demonstrated excellence and progress in local government throughout the past year,” Turley said. “The AR Bluett Award recognises a standard of excellence and innovation that is a shining example for all spheres of government.”
Lake Macquarie City Council won the AR Bluett award 12 years ago. “It is great to be able to update the silverware and add it to the trophy cabinet,” said Shultz. “I’m sure this award will take pride of place at Lake Macquarie City Council for many years to come.”
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