Awards honour leading lights of local government

An IT leader who led an efficiency transformation for Douglas Shire Council in the midst of a global pandemic has taken out a state-wide award. Information Communication Technology (ICT) team leader Garry Mason won the ‘Above and Beyond’ award at the Queensland Local Government Awards for Excellence this week. It came after he overcame a swag of challenges during COVID-19 lockdowns last year to completely transform the organisation’s ICT systems from a cloud-based platform to in-house, reducing costs and increasing productivity within the council. A water cooling project earned a gong for Bulloo Shire Council in the sustainability category. The town of Thargomindah relies on bore water for its potable supply – water that comes out of the ground at 72 degrees. The innovative new water-cooling system brought online this year is powered by solar and includes battery storage to maximise the use of renewable energy and minimise grid reliance. Burdekin Shire Council was another winner, topping the ‘Doing More With Less’ category, which celebrates lateral thinking, creativity and teamwork to achieve positive outcomes for council and the community.Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the award recognised the innovative thinking of council officers to adapt and deliver events virtually in response to the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.“I want to thank Local Government Managers Australia for recognising the fantastic work of Burdekin Shire Council, and congratulate the officers involved in delivering the 2020 virtual Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival which has earned us this award,” Cr McLaughlin said. “While the physical festival requires a year of planning and a committed team of both employees and volunteers to deliver, the 2020 virtual festival was produced by a small team of council officers in collaboration with a handful of locals and community groups to showcase drone footage of a cane fire, cultural performances, interviews with local farmers and more." The Local Government Awards for Excellence are convened by Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA). They aim to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding work being undertaken by Queensland councils every day. The full list of 2021 award winners includes: Sustainability – Bulloo Shire Council - Water Cooling Project Innovation – Ipswich City Council - Karalee Library Pod Doing More with Less – Burdekin Shire Council - Virtual Festival Teamwork – Ipswich City Council - Food Truck Friendly Council Collaboration – Logan City Council - Safety Camera and District Tasking Partnership Community Shaping – Western Downs Regional Council - Shaping Stronger, More Resilient, Productive Communities Workplace Wellbeing – Cook Shire Council - Health and Safety Leadership and Culture Initiative Above and Beyond – Garry Mason – Douglas Shire Council Finalists also recognised across the categories included: Cairns Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, Ipswich City Council, Isaac Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Redland City Council, Rockhampton Regional Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, South Burnett Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Council and Western Downs Regional Council

Awards honour leading lights of local government

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