Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

National Awards for Innovation launched

The Federal Minister for Local Government, Senator Macdonald, recently launched the 12th National Awards For Innovation in Local Government (NAILG) at the 18th IMM National Congress in Canberra.

The Awards are a major event for councils and identify and reward Local Government bodies who are developing and implementing innovative, resourceful practices that lead to an improvement in government outcomes.

The categories open to entries this year are:

• engineering, infrastructure and urban design
• environment
• sport, recreation and physical activity
• information technology and organisational practices
• regional and economic development
• community services
• bushcare
• innovation in emergency management.

Awards will be presented for the best entry and the best rural entry in all categories. In addition, winners will also be announced for the:

• National Award for the most innovative entry overall
• the Rural Award for the most innovative rural entry.

The Awards are highly sought after and all winners receive a trophy and a profile of their project is included in promotional material and advertising for the Awards.

Many of the previous years' winning entries have been examples of Leading Practice for other local councils and have demonstrated significant commercial returns.

The major sponsor for this year's Awards is AusIndustry. AusIndustry is the Federal Government's delivery agency for business information and assistance.

The programs administered through AusIndustry help Australian businesses to become more successful and internationally competitive.

Other sponsors include Westpac, Active Australia, Online Australia, Telstra, the Federal Department of Family and Community Services, Bushcare and the Natural Heritage Trust and Emergency Management Australia.

The Closing date for the Awards was 13 August. Senator Macdonald will present the Awards on Monday 29 November at the Australian Local Government Association's General Assembly.

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