June 2023 - Local Government Excellence Awards
Shoalhaven triumphs at Local Government Excellence Awards
In one of the most highly anticipated awards for local governments in NSW, Shoalhaven City Council is proudly bringing two prestigious honours back to the region.
Beating out a high-calibre cohort from councils across the state, Governance Coordinator Brooke Aldous was awarded Dux from the Governance in Local Government One Week Intensive Course. The course develops the practical skills needed for the governance function within council, with Brooke recognised for her stunning result in the course work and final exam.
Brooke said she was honoured to be awarded Dux for her efforts at the residential course.
“The Governance Intensive was the most relevant and thorough training course I have attended during my 13 years within local government,” said Brooke.
“The course reinforced my genuine passion for Governance, with the added bonus of making invaluable connections and friendships.”
Recognising the power of effective teamwork and innovation, Shoalhaven Council also received a Highly Commended in the category Special Project Initiative for population under 150,000 for the ‘Recovery into Resilience’ project.
Recovery into Resilience involved the installation and activation of 26 digital screens across the city in response to the Currowan Bushfires where critical communication was severely impacted by power outages.
In a first for Australia, the screens were installed across the Shoalhaven to provide authoritative, accurate and timely information to communities at all times of the year. The screens display real-time information including the daily fire danger rating and weather, local community and council events, and emergency information in times of crisis.
Mayor Amanda Findley said she was thrilled to see this critical project being recognised.
“We saw how standard communications failed during the worst of the bushfire emergency and these digital screens now provide residents with reliable and current information that has never before been available,” Cr Findley said.
“This truly innovative project puts the best interests of our community centre stage by ensuring people are better prepared for future disasters,” she said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team who have worked so hard to get this project off the ground and make the screens an integral part of the community. It’s a great success story.”
Cr Findley said that since the award submission, the Shoalhaven has now installed 44 screens.
The NSW Local Government Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements and promote innovation and continuous improvement within NSW local government.
Pictured (L-R) Brooke Aldous, Governance Coordinator, Sarah McMahon, Manager Business Assurance and Risk, Dane Hamilton, Chief Information Officer, Jane Lewis, Director City Lifestyles, Mike Paine, Manager – Community Connections.