1. 2012 Winners
LOCAL GOVERNMENT – BUILDING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES
Sponsors
The 2012 National Awards for Local Government are proudly sponsored by:
Attorney-General’s Department
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Department of Health and Ageing
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Department of Infrastructure and Transport
Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
National Road Safety Council
Office for the Arts, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport

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Local government – BUILDING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES
Minister’s Message
This year marks 26 years of the National Awards for Local Government which recognise the
positive contribution local governments make to their communities. Australia’s 556 elected
councils play a fundamental role in building, supporting and strengthening our communities.
The Australian Government is continuing to work with our councils to seek out new ideas
and partnerships to improve the way we serve regions and communities, and continue to
secure economic prosperity.
The 2012 Awards support significant projects that add value to local government and
their regions. Stand-out ideas and innovation deserve celebration and national recognition
beyond the local community.
The winners in this booklet are being recognised for their policies, programs and initiatives
across a broad range of important responsibilities.
There were over 370 entries received this year for the Awards. This is a tribute to the sector and proof of the growth
in community-based initiatives to address the social, economic and environmental priorities of different regions.
All 16 categories for 2012 have been sponsored by various Australian Government departments and agencies.
This highlights the breadth of the relationship between the local government sector and the Commonwealth’s
national policy agenda. I would like to thank our sponsors, whose support ensures the ongoing recognition of
local government excellence and innovation.
I also wish to thank our national and category judging panels who had the difficult task of choosing this year’s
winners out of a very competitive pool of entries.
In 2012, local councils were given the opportunity to enter a number of new categories including:
• Active Arts
• Energy Smart
• Excellence in Road Safety
• Improving Services to Remote Communities
• Innovation in Natural Resource Management
• Land-Use Planning - Addressing Disaster Risk and Enhancing Resilience
• Rural and Remote Health
• Strength in Diversity.
The growth of the Awards is another step forward in our agenda of national support and recognition for local
community-driven development.
Localism can be the greatest generator of our nation’s collective strength, diversity and prosperity. But it requires
leadership and vision to develop and drive the ideas.
I thank all those councils that participated in the 2012 Awards and congratulate both the Category and National Winners.
The Hon Simon Crean MP
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
Minister for the Arts

3. 1
Local government – BUILDING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES
The National Awards for Local Government highlight the excellent and innovative
work being undertaken by local government in communities across Australia to
improve business practices within councils and service delivery to communities.
The national awards recognise ingenuity, resourcefulness and self reliance.
They also identify and promote councils that are finding new ways of delivering
services and developing local solutions to complex and challenging problems.
National Winners

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Local government – BUILDING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES
National Awards
forExcellence
Local government – BUILDING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES
National Award for Excellence
Moreland City Council, VIC
CALDCOM Storyboards
With their Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communication (CALDCOM) Storyboards, Moreland
City Council went back to basics to find a solution to improve the way council connects and
communicates with its culturally diverse community.
The CALDCOM Storyboards use a collection of characters representing the different community
groups in the council area to disseminate vital information to all members of the community through
stories and pictures. Storyboards have been developed on a wide range of themes which are
relevant to all local governments, including council services, civic life and what life is like in Australia.
Moreland’s City Council’s comprehensive community consultation process ensured that this
approach of using illustrations to tell a story was an effective method to educate, inform, to help
break down communication barriers, and to encourage inclusiveness and community cohesion.
The success of CALDCOM Storyboards is meeting the needs of 132 community language groups
in the council area, reducing the need to produce expensive multiple translations of information and
can be adapted for use in other culturally diverse councils.
To learn more about the project, see page 40.
National Award for Excellence (small council, under 15 000 rateable properties)
Golden Plains Shire Council, VIC
Visit Golden Plains Tourism Smartphone/Tablet App and Website Digital Infrastructure Project
Golden Plains Shire Council’s Smartphone application features an interactive map of the region, including helpful visitor information and
landmark images all designed to assist tourists in finding and enjoying the attractions and facilities. This technology enables visitors to
access information about the Golden Plains anywhere, anytime from the convenience of a Smartphone, iPad or Android tablet.
The Golden Plains Shire Council has stepped outside
the square and through the use of innovative information
technology, provided a new avenue to encourage economic
growth in their community. The council is commended for
shifting from traditional information services to embrace the
power and adaptability of apps. This shift helps lead the way
for other councils to develop service delivery beyond online
transactions. The development of a comprehensive and
simple-to-use application has assisted greatly in promoting
tourism in the Golden Plains Shire.
To learn more about the project, see page 26.

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Local government – BUILDING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES
Category Winner
Golden Plains Shire Council, VIC
Visit Golden Plains Tourism Smartphone / Tablet
App and Website Digital Infrastructure Project
Golden Plains Shire is a vibrant and progressive small
rural municipality situated between Geelong, Ballarat and
Melbourne in regional Victoria. Golden Plains is the link
between three of the most popular tourism destinations
in Victoria—Geelong, the Great Ocean Road and the
Ballarat Goldfields.
Taking a trip in the Golden Plains has been made easier
with the launch of a new tourist Smartphone application.
The Smartphone application features an interactive map
of Golden Plains, including helpful visitor information and
landmark images all designed to assist tourists in finding and
enjoying the attractions. It also identifies important locations
such as public toilets, food stops, petrol and eftpos facilities.
This technology enables people to access information about
the Golden Plains anywhere, anytime from the convenience of
a Smartphone, iPad or Android tablet.
This technology confirms that the Golden Plains Shire Council
has been proactive in its investment in tourism infrastructure.
This initiative is a shining example of a progressive approach
to economic development.
Historically, council has built and restored tourism
infrastructure and co-located amenities, ranging from nature
trails and parklands through to major tourist attractions
such as the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market and Flagstaff Hill
Lookout in an effort to attract visitors to the region.
Council’s role is now to facilitate and collaborate with
regional tourism bodies and neighbouring municipalities
that have been integral to the successful market testing and
deployment of the technology.
The Golden Plains Shire Council’s Smartphone application is
a vital economic development infrastructure, which connects
visitors to the experiences, businesses and attractions of the
region with one simple touch.
By having a sound project planning framework and involving the
community at the earliest possible stages, the Golden Plains
Smartphone application is a true reflection of council’s innovative
approach to infrastructure development. Importantly, the
technology continues to create real value for local businesses and
enhances the wider regional tourism industry.
Contact: Ms Jessica Chappell
Telephone: 03 5220 7111
E-mail: jchappell@gplains.vic.gov.au
w
inner
c
atego
ry
(small council, under 15 000 rateable properties)
Innovative infrastructure development