Sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
About the sponsor
The Australian Government, through the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development contributes to the prosperity of the economy and the wellbeing of all Australians by assisting regions to realise their potential and manage their own futures. To do this, the Department works in partnership with regional, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
Australia's regions are integral to our values and sense of identity, which come from our unique and diverse culture, landscape, history and people.
The Australian Government's approach to regional development is to work in partnership with communities, government and the private sector to foster the development of self-reliant communities and regions, creating the right climate and environment to encourage the establishment of viable enterprises. Councils, shires and other recognised local government organisations alongside local business and not-for-profit organisations play a key role in building regional capacity.
Contributing to Regional Growth Category
As public sector agencies, councils have a responsibility to continually improve their performance to achieve optimal value for their residents, particularly when there are community expectations for councils to do more for their communities. Improved performance can be achieved through greater efficiency by adopting innovative management practices, exploiting the potential of technology or developing more customer focused service delivery arrangements, and/or collaborating with other councils in the region.
This award recognises councils collaborating on a regional basis with other councils, Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees, communities and/or other organisations to strengthen investment and development opportunities, share resources, build regional competitive advantage and create jobs.
For this award you could enter projects that:
- demonstrate strong partnerships with the private sector, local, state and territory government, community and not for profit organisations and other regional development organisations such as RDAs, Regional Organisations of Councils and Chambers of Commerce and Industry;
- maximise economic growth and development opportunities, progress infrastructure and other investment;
- harness regional competitive advantages: physical assets: transport linkages: amenity and human capital: to drive region-specific innovation;
- improve productivity, employment and workforce skills within the region;
- leverage funding from additional sources including state governments, local councils and local businesses; and/or
- implement regional plans and priorities.