Vote now for the 2024 National Awards for Local Government

Published on 19 March 2024

Six Gannawarra Shire Council initiatives are in the running to be recognised during the 2024 National Awards for Local Government.

Voting is now open for the publicly decided awards, which are an annual celebration of local government achievements across Australia.

“It is an honour for Council to again be recognised in the National Awards for Local Government, with initiatives such as our creative arts program, ReSpark the Park initiative and renewable energy development advocacy either winning categories, receiving high commendations or shortlisted as finalists in previous years,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

Council-led initiatives that are in the running for the 2024 awards include:

• Construction of the Kerang All Abilities Play Space and the region’s first Changing Places facility, both located at Atkinson Park;
• The repurposing of approximately 19,000 tonnes of discarded concrete, with this material becoming part of a road base used to repair roads impacted by the 2022 floods;
• Council’s role in leading community flood recovery efforts following the 2022 floods;
• The redevelopment of central business districts and popular tourist locations at Cohuna, Kerang and Koondrook;
• The annual Gannawarra Goes Orange campaign, which promotes the need to reduce gender-based violence in the Gannawarra; and
• Council’s efforts to diversify the municipality’s agricultural sector by supporting key projects, including minerals sands mining, investment in renewables and intensive agricultural practices.

“These nominations recognise the efforts our dedicated staff undertake to make the Gannawarra a great place to live and work,” Mr Rollinson said.

“The public vote process also promotes Council’s work nationally against the 537 local councils across Australia, which in turn puts the Gannawarra on the national map.”

Voting can be completed online by visiting https://nalg.awardsplatform.com/ before Friday, 26 April, registering an account and selecting which project should win an award in each of the 11 categories.

“With award winners to be announced shortly after voting closes on 26 April, there is limited time to help the Gannawarra receive recognition nationally,” Mr Rollinson said.