Lake Macquarie City Council has taken out the top prize in a coveted annual award recognising high-achieving and progressive local government in NSW.
Council was named last night as winner of the 2024 AR Bluett Memorial Award in the City and Regional Councils category, open to all city, metropolitan and major regional rural LGAs.
The award has been handed out annually since 1945.
Lake Macquarie previously won in 2011-2012, making it the only Council in the Hunter Region to win twice.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz accepted the award as part of the Local Government NSW Annual Conference in Tamworth.
"It's a great honour to accept the Bluett award on behalf of Lake Macquarie City Council and the 220,000 people in our city we serve," he said.
"I'd like to thank my elected Council colleagues and the 1300-plus Lake Macquarie City Council staff who make our city and our organisation what it is every day."
"The staff are the ones who get their hands dirty on a daily basis for the betterment of Lake Macquarie."
Local Government NSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM congratulated Council, along with Bega Shire Council, which won the regional/rural category, on receiving local government's most prestigious award.
"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," she 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."
Major projects of the past 12 months highlighted in Council's award nomination included the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, Windale Hub, bilyabayi, a shift across Lake Macquarie Holiday Parks sites to better embrace inclusive tourism, and the city's transition to a bookable bulky waste service.
Mayor Adam said local government was "all about enriching our communities, recognising and celebrating culture and facilitating growth and economic prosperity while protecting the environment".
"At its very core, it is about setting an example for the rest of the community to follow," he said.
"As someone who grew up in Lake Macquarie and has served eight years as a Councillor, I know that we are collectively trying to grow and shape our city to make it a place where our kids, their kids and all future generations love and can be all that they aspire to be."
"Lake Macquarie City Council was lucky enough to win the Bluett 12 years ago, way back in 2012 and the plaque sits proudly in our Administration Building."
"It is great to be able to update the silverware and add to the trophy cabinet! I'm sure this award will take pride of place at Lake Macquarie City Council for many years to come."
