Georges River Council has won a number of top state and federal awards in planning, culture, innovation and for its COVID-19 Recovery Program.
Mayor Kevin Greene outlined the awards and congratulated staff in a Mayoral Minute at this week's council meeting.
At the Greater Sydney Commission's 2021 Greater Sydney Planning Awards the council's Economic and Social Recovery Plan was the winner in the City Shaping During COVID-19 category.
The award citation included, "Georges River Council 's approach to COVID-19 recovery was insightful, strategic and comprehensive. While most councils were proactive in their response to local government challenges, the Georges River Council was guided by their Economic and Social Recovery Plan which delivered outstanding results. During shutdown, Georges River used the Australian Business Register to communicate and engage with local businesses, providing immediate targeted support and by prioritising the needs of the community this comprehensive program addressed immediate and future needs while complementing existing state and federal government initiatives. This work forged partnerships with local businesses which will have a positive flow-on effect for the community and local enterprise for years to come."
Cr Greene said that notably the judges also had two commendations in this category - City of Sydney and Transport for NSW - demonstrating the high standard of the entries.
Hurstville Museum and Gallery has again been recognised at the Museum and Galleries National Awards (MAGNA) receiving a highly commended award in the 2021 MAGNA category for best temporary exhibition for its Artbomb Connect and Create exhibition that ran from June 9 to July 26 last year.
At the National Awards for Planning Excellence by the Planning Institute of Australia,Georges River Council's ChillOUT Hubs was the winner of the Best Ideas Small Project.
Early last year, Georges River Council launched its new ChillOUT Hubs at three sites across the local government area - Belgrave Street, Kogarah; Timothy Reserve, Hurstville; and the Mortdale Town Centre.
The ChillOUT Hubs were shaded spaces with internet-connected devices and sensors, charging points, free Wi-fi, solar power, smart furniture, including smart drinking fountains, to monitor uses, and environmental sensors to adjust to changes in climate.
Each hub incorporated smart technology to monitor the surrounding micro-climate.
The national judges citation included, "The judges were impressed with the approach which focussed on deliverability and usability, not just the theory of the Smart Cities concept. In the judges opinion, the ChillOUT Hubs addressed a number of factors to provide a variety of economic, social and health benefits for local communities that are scalable and can be tailored to local demands and news."
At the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards earlier this month, Georges River Council won the People Workplace Wellbeing award for its Benefit Free 60 Program.
The council also received a highly commended in the Project Initiative Award for its Thrive Learning Program and a highly commended in Environmental Leadership for the Gannons Park Water Quality Improvement and Stormwater Harvesting Scheme.
"These awards celebrate outstanding achievements while promoting innovation and continuing improvements within NSW local government," Cr Greene said.
"To receive this level of industry recognition is an exciting achievement."
