AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 

Innovation – How the Catchment Works, Balonne Shire Council – supported by King and Company Solicitors

Collaboration - GIS Team Response to Cyclone Event, Redland City Council – supported by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

Community Shaping – Accessible Tourism Campaign, Rockhampton Regional Council – supported by Articulous

Resourcefulness - Future Proofing Empowered by Infrastructure, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council – supported by King and Company Solicitors

Sustainability – Future Fleet Transition, Logan City Council – supported by CPA Australia

Teamwork – Water and Waste Influencers and Leadership Team, Isaac Regional Council – presented by Andrew Chesterman, LGMA President

Workplace Wellbeing - Diversity and Inclusion Project, Sunshine Coast Council – supported by South Geldard Lawyers

Above and Beyond – Eva Haines, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council – supported by Brighter Super

2026 Awards for Excellence Nominations - open in November 2025

 The Award Categories include:

Above and Beyond

This individual has gone ‘above and beyond’ their stated duties to deliver added service to their community or council.  This will be work for which they have not received additional remuneration and is most likely self-generated, showing genuine initiative for the benefit of the organisation and, ultimately, its customers.

Collaboration

This project or initiative involved genuine collaboration with multiple parties (internal and external to council) in order to implement more effective service delivery models for the benefit of the organisations and the community.  This may have been through an informal agreement or a more formal legal structure.

Community Shaping

This project or initiative has influenced community behaviour and practice.  It has educated and informed community opinion leading to sustainable, positive changes in the community.  There is clear evidence of its success in enhancing community wellbeing, understanding and/or awareness and in engendering behaviour change.

Innovation

This project or initiative has adopted a new and different approach, leading to improved (or new) service delivery and/or performance.  This initiative is cutting-edge and has probably not been seen in Queensland councils before, certainly not in this format.

Resourcefulness

This award category recognises projects or initiatives undertaken by Category A1-B1 Councils that showcase the philosophy of ‘doing more with less’.  Lateral thinking, creativity, increased productivity and simplicity are the drivers of this successful project or initiative that is an aspirational model for other small councils.

Sustainability

This project or initiative has enhanced the long-term sustainability of council and/or the community.  It may be through more sustainable use of human, financial and other resources or it may be related to environmental sustainability. 

Teamwork

This team is an internal council team or a team involving multiple areas of council.  The manner in which it has utilised resources, collaborated and communicated proves the adage that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  It has contributed, in a measurable way, to enhanced service delivery within or external to council.

Workplace Wellbeing

Workplace health and wellbeing programmes have real potential to positively influence the health of councils’ workforces while making good business sense through increasing employee engagement and team cohesiveness and leading to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity in the long-term.  This project or initiative demonstrates evidence of fostering healthy workplace policies and supportive environments that promote healthy lifestyles that enhance positive social conditions.