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Rewarding innovation in Local Government: Minister launches national Awards

Over 700 Local Government representatives gathered at the 18th IMM National Congress in Canberra to hear the Hon Senator Ian Macdonald, Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, launch the 1999 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government.

The Awards, now in their 12th year, are a major event in the Local Government calendar, attracting hundreds of entries from Councils and other Local Government bodies across Australia.

The National Awards for Innovation in Local Government&emdash;hosted by the National Office of Local Government at the Department of Transport and Regional Services in Canberra&emdash;identify, reward and promote innovation and excellence in Local Government.

Speaking at the Launch of this year's Awards, Senator Macdonald expressed his admiration for the work done by those working in Local Government and their key role in building sustainable Australian communities.

"The National Awards for Innovation in Local Government are another way in which the Commonwealth seeks to encourage and recognise the valuable work being done by Local Government at the local level," the Minister said.

The Awards are an opportunity for national recognition. This year, 18 Awards will be presented by the Minister at the Australian Local Government Association's General Assembly in November.

These include two National Awards and 16 category awards. Special Rural Awards acknowledge the specific challenges facing rural communities and their Councils.

Award winners enjoy year long promotion of their winning projects. All entries gain recognition by being published on the Internet and in the annual A Guide to Good Practice in Local Government, published by the National Office for Local Government.

The categories reflect the diversity in Local Government. In some ways the Awards are a historical account of the changes that have occurred in Local Government over the past decade.

Each year, the Award categories change to reflect the concerns and activities of Local Government. This year the number of categories has grown from six to eight.

Sponsors

The Awards have also attracted major commercial and government sponsors. AusIndustry at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources are major sponsors of this year's Awards, accompanied by an impressive range of category sponsors.

This year's categories and sponsors are:

• Engineering, infrastructure and urban design sponsored by AusIndustry (also Major sponsor of the Awards)
• Community services sponsored by the Department of Family and Community Services
• Sport, recreation and physical activity sponsored by Active Australia
• Information technology and organisational practices sponsored by Online Australia
• Regional and economic development sponsored by Telstra
• Environment sponsored by Westpac
• Bushcare sponsored by Bushcare and the Natural Heritage Trust
• Innovation in emergency management sponsored by Emergency Management Australia

Applications close 13 August 1999. The National Office of Local Government encourages all Councils and other Local Government bodies to enter this year's Awards. An application guide will be sent to every Council in Australia. For additional copies please call freecall 1800 065 113 or visit the Awards website at www.nolg.gov.au

Click here to visit the Awards web site

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