Lake Macquarie City Council and Bega Valley Shire Council have been awarded the prestigious AR Bluett Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in local government.
Bega Valley Shire Council took out the award's regional/rural category, while Lake Macquarie City Council was crowned the metropolitan/major regional winner.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Cr Darriea Turley AM congratulated the two councils on receiving the most prestigious award in local government.
"On behalf of LGNSW and all our members right across the State, I congratulate the elected representatives, general managers, council staff and communities on this wonderful accolade," Cr Turley said.
"Both councils demonstrated excellence and progress in local government throughout the past year.
"The A.R. Bluett Award recognises a standard of excellence and innovation that is a shining example for all spheres of government.
"The real winners are the communities that benefit from the hard work and commitment of their elected representatives and professional staff in their councils.
"I think it's especially pleasing to see Bega Valley Shire receive the regional/rural award as that council and their community have worked so hard to recover from the devastating bushfires of 2019/2020."
The A.R. Bluett Memorial Award has been presented annually since 1945 in commemoration of Albert Robert Bluett, who served as the Secretary and Solicitor to the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW for 30 years.
Albert Bluett was highly respected by the legal profession and by the State Government of the day and was instrumental in writing the Local Government Act of 1919.
The AR Bluett Awards are judged by three honorary Trustees - Les McMahon (Trustee Chairman), Genia McCaffery and Paul Braybrooks OAM.
Mr McMahon said judging for this year's award was particularly challenging based on the excellent nominations received.
He said Lake Macquarie City Council and Bega Valley Shire Council were worthy recipients of the prestigious award.
"Lake Macquarie City Council's motto over the past 10 years has been, 'Let's be brave, bold and courageous', as it helped the community move from the downturn in mining and manufacturing to hospitality, health and service industries," Mr McMahon said.
"The council embarked on a courageous strategy, proactively working to grow the city, attracting new and younger residents and insulating the economy from the downturn in traditional mining and manufactory industries.
"This resulted in an average 7% growth in the economy and 22,000 new jobs. The University of Newcastle found that the council was the key driver for this change."
Mr McMahon said Bega Valley Shire Council impressed the judges with strategies to maintain its $1.9 billion worth of assets following the devastating Black Summer fires of 2019/20 and 13 subsequent disaster declarations, by guiding the growth of the shire to a more sustainable community.
"With new tertiary treated water treatment facilities in Brogo-Bermagui following the fires and the restoration of the famous Tathra Wharf, the council embarked on strategies to improve vital assets," Mr McMahon said.
"It also provided future proofing for growth by developing an additional 3000 home sites coupled with a new affordable housing strategy in Bega, providing existing residents a place to live."
President of Local Government (LG) Professionals, David Tuxford, added his congratulations.
"LG Professionals, NSW highly values our collaboration with LGNSW in presenting the A.R. Bluett Memorial Award," Mr Tuxford said.
"We commend Lake Macquarie City Council and Bega Valley Shire Council for their exceptional achievements in delivering excellence to their communities and congratulate them on winning this prestigious award."
