Draft Shoalhaven LEP receives commendation
Shoalhaven City Council received a commendation in the Public Engagement and Community Planning Category at the Planning Institute of Australia’s NSW Division Planning Excellence Awards held in Sydney last week.
The award was received following Council’s exhaustive draft Shoalhaven LEP 2009 consultative process that took place during 2011 and included a 13 week exhibition period.
Council staff manned 13 village stalls, eight community ‘drop in’ sessions, an industry breakfast and attended a range of Community Consultative Body and public meetings to which they were invited in late 2011.
The PIA judging panel were particularly impressed with Council’s specially created draft LEP website and the creation of a separate ‘LEP brand’ that set it apart from other Council projects.
Shoalhaven City Council Director of Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, Peter Adams said Council had undertaken an extremely comprehensive notification and engagement process to ensure ample opportunity for the entire community to be aware of and have their say on the draft LEP document.
“The award from the Planning Institute of Australia is further recognition of the amazing job undertaken by staff as part of the draft LEP engagement process over a concerted period,” said Mr Adams.
“I’m particularly pleased to see the judges recognise the work that went into branding the draft LEP into a separate, recognisable and important community issue.
“The judges also paid tribute to Council’s interactive draft LEP website, which has played a huge role in the engagement process by allowing residents unlimited access to important planning information in a clear manner. “
“I’d like to thank local Huskisson Company IT Basecamp who worked with Council staff to develop the website and also the community reference group that helped road test it prior to release”
As a result of the consultative process Council received over 3,000 submissions throughout the 13 week exhibition period.
CONTACT: Director of Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, Peter Adams - 4429 3470
Council staff members Marie-Louise Foley, Jane Adams, Gordon Clark and Cinnamon Dunsford at the Awards
Shoalhaven City Council received a ‘Highly Commended’ Award at the Local Government Managers Australia 2012 Management Excellence Awards.
The award category was for Excellence in Leadership and Innovation for Rural Councils. Council won this accolade for the work they have done to develop an adaptive management response to increase the resilience to climate change impacts for both council and it’s community. A combination of coastal management innovations and the development of a adaptation plan were some of the things that impressed the judges
Held annually, the Awards are open to all councils in NSW and aim to recognise outstanding achievements by NSW Local Government.
Skilled or Killed Young Driver Safety
Shoalhaven City Council was awarded as a Finalist in the 2011 Australian Road Safety Awards - Local Government Initiatives and Schools Program. The award was for the Skilled or Killed Young Driver Safety (SKYDS) program.
The program continues this year. For more information on free advanced driving training for drivers on their P's or full license and are aged 17 to 25 years, please contact Kathy Wiseham, Road Safety Officer, Shoalhaven City Council on 4429 3484 or send an email.
Green and Gold Bell Frog protection program
| Shoalhaven City Council received a ‘Highly Commended’ Award at the Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards following a highly successful Green and Gold Bell Frog protection program.
The nominated project focused on the development of mitigation measures enabling Council staff to manage a large scale local population explosion of the threatened frog.
The program also aimed to further enhance and protect the frog’s habitat while still allowing for the undertaking of routine maintenance activities.
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The Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards were initiated by the NSW Local Government and Shires Associations in 1998.
Held annually, the Awards are open to all councils in NSW and aim to recognise outstanding achievements by NSW Local Government in managing and protecting the environment.
Local Government and Shires Environment Awards
Rennies Beach Bushcare
The Rennies Beach Bushcare group were recognised for their ongoing regeneration works after receiving the Keep Australia Beautiful South Coast Region Environmental Protection Award.
The Environmental Protection Award recognises outstanding achievement in the protection of the natural beach environment, in particular the preservation of local fauna, flora and biodiversity.
The Rennies Beach Bushcare group received the award as recognition for their ongoing regeneration work following illegal damage to the flora in 2003.
Made up of both local residents and holiday home owners, the group was initially formed as a result of the environmental vandalism but has continued to work over the ensuing years focusing on the regeneration of the coastal cliff vegetation.
Located on the southern side of the Ulladulla Urban area, Rennies Beach is an extremely popular recreational area, with local residents and visitors alike taking advantage of the beach’s high quality fishing and surfing spots.
Keep Australia Beautiful
Planning Institute of Australia
Council received three Awards at the 2011 Planning Institute of Australia NSW Division Planning Excellence Awards including the President’s Award, the highest honour of the night.
Judged by peers and industry professionals, the President’s Award was received in recognition of the Shoalhaven City Council Contributions Plan 2010.
Council’s Contributions Plan 2010 is a unique, interactive website which has been designed to be user friendly and to streamline internal processes regarding infrastructure planning and delivery. The innovative website allows community members, developers and Council staff to easily access information on the required levels of infrastructure and the calculation of contributions for all new land developments.
The Award also recognised the streamlining of internal processes for infrastructure planning and delivery.
Council had earlier received the Improving Planning Processes and Practices Award, also in recognition of the Contributions Plan.
Council, in partnership with consultants Arup and Hill PDA, also received the Best Planning Ideas Award for the Nowra CBD Master Plan.
The Nowra CBD Master Plan provided a graphical representation of conversions from empty space to civic open spaces and encouraged deliverable quick wins and continued stakeholder engagement.
www.planning.org.au
Aboriginal Network Award
Shoalhaven City Council joined Shellharbour, Wollongong, Wingecarribee and Kiama Councils in receiving the Council Partnership Award at the 2011 NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference held in Dubbo.
The Award was received in recognition of the successful Regional Local Government NAIDOC Awards dinner held at the Shellharbour Workers Club in July.
Featuring involvement from all five local Councils, the dinner received tremendous support from the local community with over 110 elders joining, Aboriginal representatives and the wider community in attendance.
President of the NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network, Rod Towney presented representatives from the five local Councils with the Council Partnership Award at a special ceremony held at Council’s Nowra Administration Building.
Bushcare
Council’s Bushcare program was recognised at the 2011 NSW Landcare Awards held in Parkes.
The program received the ‘Highly Commended’ award in the Local Government Landcare Partnership category, recognition for the hard work and dedication displayed by the area’s Bushcare Volunteers.
Operating for the past 12 years, Bushcare volunteers have contributed over $2 million in labour and grant funding to the restoration of the Shoalhaven’s natural resources.
Shoalhaven City Council employs a full time Bushcare Coordinator to support the work of community Bushcare groups undertaking land restoration works.
Council currently supports 69 community volunteer Bushcare groups and 700 members operating right throughout the City.
www.landcarensw.org.au
Other recent awards include -
- 2011 - Cemeteries and Crematoria Association NSW Excellence Award for Services to the Industry
- 2011 - NSW State Emergency Service - Commissioners Certificate of Appreciation - Recognition of the outstanding operational assistance during the windstorm in the Shoalhaven Area on 5 September 2010.
- 2011 - Australian Website Award - Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre for the Australian South Eastern Region.
- 2011 - Group Training Host Employer Safety Award.
- 2010 Aquatic and Recreation Institute Orimatech Award for Excellence – Kevin Norwood
- 2010 - Keep Australia Beautiful South Coast Region – Clean Beach Challenge 2010 - Litter Prevention Award – Huskisson Beach - Highly Commended – For installation of large gross pollutant net and the entrance to the beach at the wharf.