- New Place Innovation Awards celebrate innovative approaches to placemaking by local government
- Three award categories will recognise consultative approaches to activating local spaces
- Nominations open today, Friday 21 July 2023
Local governments are being encouraged to nominate for new awards celebrating the most innovative, collaborative approaches to placemaking across the state.
Established by the Minister for Local Government David Michael, the Place Innovation Awards have been added to the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Local Government Awards program to recognise projects by WA local governments that:
- Take an innovative approach to a place-based opportunity or challenge.
- Demonstrate significant improvements to standard practices.
- Show a high level of collaboration with external stakeholders and areas within local government.
There are three nomination categories one for metropolitan Perth and the Peel region, one for regional Western Australia, and an open category (which may be a metropolitan or regional initiative).
The Place Innovation Awards will be presented by the Minister at the Local Government Awards held during this year's WALGA Convention at Crown Perth in September.
Nominations open today, Friday, 21 July 2023, and close at 5pm on Friday 18 August 2023. For more information, including how to nominate, go to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) Place Innovation Awards website.
The awards are administered by Town Teams, with support from DLGSC. Town Teams is a non-profit organisation that enables local communities and governments to connect, organise and act to regenerate the fabric of their neighbourhoods and to create better places.
In an Australian first, DLGSC has engaged Town Teams to deliver placemaking training to build the capacity and confidence of local government staff and Elected Members.
Placemaking is a consultative approach to activating local spaces, stimulating local economies and bringing together planners, community, architects, government, land managers and commercial partners.
It incorporates multiple disciplines including urban design, economic development, events and activation, community development, urban planning, arts, engineering, infrastructure and sustainability.
The new training is available from July 2023 for all local government staff and Elected Members in WA. Visit the Town Teams website for more information.
Comments attributed to Local Government Minister David Michael:
"Every day Western Australian local governments are responsible for many fantastic, innovative projects that shape our local spaces and build a sense of community and belonging.
"Much of this work goes unnoticed and these awards will assist in raising the profile and importance of placemaking initiatives.
"I encourage local governments across the state to nominate and be recognised for their efforts."
Comments attributed to Town Teams co-founder and executive director Jimmy Murphy:
"Western Australian local governments play such an important role in local communities and it is fantastic to see the State Government supporting and recognising them through additional training and a new award.
"The new free placemaking training is a world first and will help support more innovative and collaborative approaches to creating better places by locals for locals.
"We're proud partners of this positive initiative for the local government sector."
