Council takes silver in prestigious Local Government award
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Published on 03 December 2020
Byron Shire Council has taken second place in the quest for the 2020 Local Government NSW AR Bluett Award – an award considered to be the most prestigious honour given to a council in NSW.
The AR Bluett Award has been presented annually since 1945 and is given to the Council in NSW which is regarded to be the most progressive, across all areas of operation, in a 12-month period.
Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson said it was a great honour for the entire organisation to even be short-listed for the AR Bluett Award and it was recognition for the immense amount of work that was undertaken in 2019/20.
“Many people would have seen and experienced first hand the huge amount of work that we have done on our road and bridge network,” Mayor Richardson said.
“In fact, we delivered a capital works program of $36.2 million and I congratulate our Infrastructure Services team for an outstanding effort over the last 12 months.
“But the AR Bluett Award is not just about capital works it also recognises everything done in other areas including planning, governance, finance, IT and open spaces as well as our commitment to working with the community,” Mayor Richardson said.
Some of Byron Shire Council’s other achievements in 2019/20 were:
867 DAs processed valued at $340 million Started the Byron Bay bypass Upgraded five parks and three skateparks - $3.38 million Restored fish passage to 27.4km of the Brunswick River Started the $5 million Reducing Stormwater in the Sewer project Substantially progressed planning for the first Australian bioenergy facility of its kind Two Public Space Liaison Officers employed to work with people sleeping rough in the community Purchased the old Byron Bay Hospital for $1 and started working with the community to turn it into a community hub Introduced bespoke planning provisions for regulating events in rural areas. Worked with communities on the Bangalow, Mullumbimby and Byron Arts and Industry Estate masterplans 78% customers satisfied with Council More than 100 staff members completed Mental Health First Aid Officer training Council adopted: Award-winning 2020-2030 Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Integrated Pest Management Strategy 2019-2029 Towards Zero – Integrated Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy Affordable Housing Contributions Policy“When you also consider that we were in the section that includes metropolitan councils, to come second was an incredible achievement,” Mayor Richardson said.
“This is great news at the end of a year which has tested everyone in our community, including our organisation, staff and Councillors.
“When you look at our achievements and factor the COVID-19 pandemic in as well it is pretty impressive if I do say so myself.
“The good news is that we have not stopped and the 2020/21 year is looking every bit as busy and delivering for our community is our number one priority,” Mayor Richardson said.
The winner of the 2020 AR Bluett Award was Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
Highlights of Byron Shire Council’s achievements in 2109/20 are in the Byron Shire Council 2019/20 Annual Report which is available on Council’s website.
For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.