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Maroochy picks up Presidents award for review process

Maroochy Shire Council has received Queensland wide recognition for its "Value for Money for Services Review" process after winning the Presidents Award for Excellence and the Management Excellence Award categories at the Local Government Association's annual conference, in August.

The awards are held annually to recognise Councils which show significant initiative in improving effectiveness and productivity. Council's General Manager, Corporate Services, Richard Hancock, said the awards play an important role in showcasing local Councils in Queensland.

"They promote the exchange of excellence in a spirit of sharing and as such benefit the "industry" of local Government," he said.

"For Maroochy Shire Council to win not only an award in one of the five categories but also the overall Presidents Award for Excellence, is a coup for not only this Council and its staff but for the whole of the Shire."

The program "Value for Money Services Review" began in September last year and was principally aimed at achieving two objectives: Firstly, assess the Value for Money services provided to the community, and secondly, identify the options to improve the Council's five to 10 year financial position

Mr Hancock, who introduced and coordinated the review process, said the review had involved staff at all levels and had highlighted more than 600 recommendations to improve work practices and resource allocations.

"The striking feature of the Reviews was the extent and involvement of the 150 staff in the 24 review teams. The involvement of staff was seen as a crucial element in identifying and implementing sustainable change that would benefit both the Council and the community on an ongoing basis," Mr Hancock said.

"Council's Organisational Change and Learning Branch provided considerable assistance throughout the service review process, particularly when it came to partnering, learning, coaching and facilitating the staff review teams.

"The review process covered all of the Council's services and has helped to dramatically refine this Council's strategic direction.

"It is expected the review process will have lasting benefits to the organisation with staff involved committed to the changes and to the community with recommendations from the review allowing a higher, more efficient level of service to be offered.

"These two prestigious Local Government Excellence awards acknowledge these benefits while encouraging the philosophy of continuous improvement within the culture of this organisation.

"This win will ensure that Maroochy becomes a benchmark for other organisations aiming to achieve Value for Money Services."

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