Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Hervey Bay takes out national innovation award

From over 240 entries, Queensland's Hervey Bay City Council has won the prestigious 1997 National Award for Innovation in Local Government. Council's Eli Creek Effluent Irrigation Scheme captured the judges' approval for its protection of coastal waters off Fraser Island, enhancement of local agriculture and tourism, and reduction of long term infrastructure costs.

The annual Awards were announced by Warwick Smith, Federal Minister for Sport, Territories and Local Government, during the National Congress of the Institute of Municipal Management held in Canberra in May. The Awards are a Commonwealth Government initiative supported by IMM and the Australian Local Government Association.

Aiming to recognise and encourage the development and dissemination of innovative ideas and practices across Local Government, the 1997 awards were judged in five categories. This year, the National Rural Award was won by the District Council of Tumby Bay in South Australia for its Target 2000: IT model for Small Towns.

The judges also made a Special Commendation to Glenelg Shire in Victoria for its Capital City Business Development Office.

Other category winners included Glen Eira, Victoria (Information Technology); Penrith, NSW (Environment); Hobart, Tas (Organisational Practices); Unley, SA (Leisure and Community Services); and Maroochy, Qld (Engineering and Infrastructure). Full coverage of the 1997 winners will be included in the July edition of FOCUS.

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