2021 Award Winners

The winners of the 2021 National Awards for Local Government were announced on 17 December 2021.

The full details of the winning projects can be found below.

2021 Award Winners

  • Creativity and Culture – creating vibrant and cohesive communities through the Arts

Winner: Northern Beaches Council, NSW

Project: Library2U

  • Boosting Productivity through Infrastructure – improving productivity and increasing the economic, social and sustainable well-being of communities

Winner: City of Melville, WA

Project: Smart City, Smart Grid Project

  • Contributing to Regional Growth – supporting the growth of vibrant and sustainable regional economies and communities

Winner: Whyalla City Council, SA

Project: Whyalla’s Iconic Circular Jetty Project

  • Cohesive Communities – building stronger, more cohesive, accessible and inclusive communities 

Winner: City of Salisbury, SA

Project: Cohesive Salisbury Project

  • Excellence in Road Safety – creating safer communities through road safety initiatives

Winner: Paroo Shire Council, QLD

Project: Blue Light Learner Driver Program

  • Addressing Violence against Women and their Children – keeping women and their children safe from violence and supporting wellbeing

Winner: Cumberland Council, NSW

Project: Cumberland Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan

  • Promoting Indigenous Recognition – raising awareness and understanding of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

Winner: Newcastle Art Gallery and City of Newcastle, NSW

Project: WARWAR: The Art of the Torres Strait

  • Women in Local Government Award – increasing female participation and female leadership roles in the Australian local government workforce 

Winner: Australian Local Government Women’s Association, VIC

Project: Mentoring for Success – Supporting newly elected Women Councilors initiative

2021 Honourable Mentions

Due to the high quality of nominations and the exceptional level of engagement from voters, the following Honourable Mentions were awarded:

Creativity and Culture – creating vibrant and cohesive communities through the Arts

Council: Murray River Council, NSW

Project: Moama Lights

Boosting Productivity through Infrastructure – improving productivity and increasing the economic, social and sustainable well-being of communities

Council: Melton City Council

Project: Unlocking Hidden Capital through Best Practice Asset Management

Contributing to Regional Growth – supporting the growth of vibrant and sustainable regional economies and communities

Council: Barossa Council, SA

Project: The Big Project

Cohesive Communities – building stronger, more cohesive, accessible and inclusive communities 

Council: Camden Council, NSW

Project: Dawson Damer Splash Park and Playground

Excellence in Road Safety – creating safer communities through road safety initiatives

Council: City of Kalamunda, WA

Project: Road Safety Awareness

Addressing Violence against Women and their Children – keeping women and their children safe from violence and supporting wellbeing

Council: City of Ryde, NSW

Project: Make a Stand campaign

Promoting Indigenous Recognition – raising awareness and understanding of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

Council: City of Albany, WA

Project: Restoring Menang Noongar Place Names

Women in Local Government Award – increasing female participation and female leadership roles in the Australian local government workforce 

Council: Shire of Shark Bay, WA

Project: Women in Senior Leadership Roles