The outcomes of the 2026 National Awards for Local Government were announced on Monday 22 June 2026 with the winners receiving their awards at a presentation which took place at the 2026 Australian Council of Local Government event in Canberra.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Recognition
Winner: Wollongong City Council | Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo
The Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo, established in 2023, supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses by improving market access, visibility and opportunities for procurement and partnerships. Since 2025, the Expo has been independently delivered by a local Aboriginal-owned business, marking a transition to Aboriginal leadership, with ongoing support from Council.
The Expo brings together businesses, government, industry, education providers and the community in a culturally safe and inclusive environment. In 2025, the event showcased 62 businesses and attracted approximately 500 attendees, facilitating direct sales and commercial engagement, with 60 per cent of stallholders reporting business outcomes.
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Honourable Mention: Diamantina Shire Council | Breaking Ground: Empowering Indigenous Leadership in Remote Australia
Addressing Violence Against Women and Children
Winner: City of Greater Dandenong | Voices for Safety: A Community Led Stand Against Violence
Voices for Safety is a prevention initiative addressing violence against women and children by targeting key drivers such as gender inequality, harmful social norms and power imbalances. The initiative was centred around the Walk Against Family Violence on 25 November 2025 and extended across a four-week program of engagement and activity.
The project delivered community education, advocacy and prevention activities through a coordinated, cross-sector approach. Digital storytelling and community partnerships significantly expanded the initiative’s reach, ensuring messages were accessible and culturally relevant across Greater Dandenong’s diverse communities.
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Honourable Mention: City of Palmerston | City of Palmerston’s Domestic Violence Action Plan
Affordable Housing
Winner: City of Moreton Bay | Community Leasing for Social and Affordable Housing
The Community Leasing for Social and Affordable Housing project uses Council’s Community Leasing Policy to enable Community Housing Providers and Specialist Homelessness Services to access Council-owned land through long-term lease arrangements. The initiative responds to increasing demand for secure and affordable housing.
Through 50-year peppercorn leases, Council is supporting the delivery of 22 new social housing dwellings accommodating up to 46 people. The project provides long-term housing stability for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
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Honourable Mention: City of Kalamunda | High Wycombe South Residential Precinct
Arts and Culture
Winner: Burwood Council | Ford Lane: From Laneway to Live Music Destination
The Ford Lane project transformed an underutilised laneway into a vibrant live music and cultural destination, placing arts and culture at the centre of placemaking. The initiative addressed the need to activate underused urban spaces while supporting local artists and businesses.
The project included infrastructure upgrades, curated events, and the establishment of Ford Lane as a bookable public space. This has resulted in increased visitation, longer dwell times and strong community engagement, contributing to a more vibrant local precinct.
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Honourable Mention: Port Phillip City Council | St Kilda Festival
Cohesive Communities
Winner: Burwood Council | Burwood Lunar Lanes 2026: A City United through Culture, Connection and Community
Burwood Lunar Lanes 2026 is a large-scale, multi-site cultural festival celebrating diversity, connection, and community. The festival transformed Burwood Town Centre into an immersive cultural precinct spanning multiple public spaces and attracting more than 50,000 attendees.
The event showcased culturally diverse artists, performers and local businesses, creating opportunities for community participation and economic activity. The initiative strengthened social cohesion by fostering intercultural understanding and meaningful community engagement.
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Honourable Mention: City of Gosnells | Yes! City of Gosnells Youth Entertainment Space
Disaster Readiness and Recovery
Winner: Hawkesbury City Council | Reconstruction of Thomas James Bridge
The reconstruction of Thomas James Bridge restored a significant heritage structure following extensive flood damage in 2022. The project addressed the need to preserve a culturally important asset while improving infrastructure resilience and safety.
More than 1,600 heritage sandstone blocks were carefully removed, catalogued, and reinstated. The reconstructed bridge now meets modern engineering standards, restoring full access while maintaining its historical integrity and ensuring long-term resilience.
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Honourable Mention: Murrindindi Shire Council | LEAP: Community-Owned Emergency Planning and Community Relief Hubs
Environmental Sustainability
Winner: City of Vincent | City of Vincent – GreenTrack: A Simple Way to Deliver More Sustainable Homes
GreenTrack is a voluntary initiative designed to support more sustainable home design by helping homeowners consider environmental impacts early in the planning process. The project responds to the need for practical tools to guide decisions around energy use, materials, and environmental performance.
Developed in partnership with Cerclos, the initiative includes a digital tool that provides real-time insights into carbon and water impacts. This enables informed decision-making and supports improved sustainability outcomes in residential development.
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Honourable Mention: City of Gosnells | Sustainability in Action – City of Gosnells
Outstanding Rural and Remote Council
Winner: Quilpie Shire Council | Quilpie Shire - Q1000
The Q1000 initiative aims to grow the population of Quilpie Shire through targeted housing, workforce, and community development strategies. The project responds to demographic shifts and regional workforce shortages impacting housing availability.
Council has invested in new housing, introduced financial incentives, and created pathways to home ownership for essential workers and residents. These measures support long-term community sustainability and regional economic growth.
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Honourable Mention: Gannawarra Shire Council | The Glasshouse
Productivity Through Infrastructure
Winner: City of Palmerston | Zuccoli Community Hub – Pump Track
The Zuccoli Community Hub – Pump Track project delivers a multi-purpose recreational facility to support the needs of a growing community. The initiative forms part of a broader precinct designed to enhance open space and recreation opportunities.
The pump track provides an inclusive and accessible space for all skill levels, promoting active lifestyles and community engagement. A key achievement was the use of local contractors, supporting regional capability and workforce development.
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Honourable Mention: City of Launceston | St Leonards & Waverly Neighbourhood Plan and Infrastructure Funding
Regional Growth
Winner: Sunshine Coast Council | Library + Caloundra
Library+ Caloundra repurposes a former administration building into a contemporary, multi-use community hub incorporating library services, customer service, and Council operations. The project responds to population growth and the need for accessible, integrated services.
By consolidating services into a single location, the project improves efficiency and accessibility while supporting community connection. The facility also demonstrates strong sustainability outcomes and contributes to long-term regional growth.
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Honourable Mention: Quilpie Shire Council | Quilpie Shire – Q1000
Road Safety
Winner: City of Vincent | Near Miss Pilot Program – Fitzgerald Street and Angove Street
The Near Miss Pilot Program uses AI-enabled camera technology to capture and analyse near miss incidents at a high-risk intersection, providing a proactive approach to road safety. The initiative addresses gaps in traditional crash data by identifying risks before incidents occur.
Over a three-month period, the system recorded more than 1,100 near miss events, uncovering previously unrecognised safety issues. This data is being used to inform targeted interventions to improve safety and reduce future crash risk.
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Honourable Mention: Scenic Rim Regional Council | Beaudesert Town Centre Road Safety Initiatives
Women in Local Government
Winner: Shire of Manjimup | Director of Infrastructure – Catherine Mills
This initiative recognises the leadership of Catherine Mills, Director of Infrastructure at the Shire of Manjimup, in transforming service delivery and team performance. The project highlights the importance of strong leadership in delivering effective infrastructure outcomes in a regional context.
Through a focus on culture, communication, and accountability. Catherine has strengthened organisational capability and improved team cohesion. This has resulted in more effective service delivery and better outcomes for the local community.
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Honourable Mention: City of Port Adelaide Enfield | Women in City Assets Program
Workforce and Skills
Winner: City of Port Adelaide Enfield | Women in City Assets Program
City Assets is the largest and most male-dominated department within the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, employing 43 per cent of the organisation’s workforce, with women historically representing just 12 per cent. In response, Council launched the Women in City Assets plan in 2023 as a targeted strategy to address entrenched gender inequality across infrastructure and operational roles.
The initiative embeds gender equity into workforce practices through coordinated actions across recruitment, workforce development, and culture. In its first two years, it has delivered measurable outcomes, including a 77 per cent increase in women applying for roles, greater representation across leadership and technical disciplines, and stronger pathways into traditionally male-dominated fields.
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Honourable Mention: Diamantina Shire Council | Diamantina Shire Council: Start-Up Week – A Whole-of-Council Approach to Training
2026 winners
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