PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council is a finalist in the most prestigious local government award in the state.
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The A R Bluett Memorial Award recognises the most progressive NSW councils.
The council’s general manager, Craig Swift-McNair, said the award looked at all aspects of council operations and services and just to be recognised as a finalist was something they were all exceptionally proud of.
"These results did not just happen overnight; it is the result of ongoing organisational transformation and the development of effective and productive working relationships between councillors, staff and importantly the community,” Mr Swift-McNair said.
Three honorary trustees judge the award.
A R Bluett Memorial Trust chairman Graeme Fleming said it was quite significant to even be a finalist.
“It’s the oldest award in Australia for recognising local government achievement,” he said.
The award has been handed out annually since 1945.
Mr Swift-McNair said Port Macquarie-Hastings Council would continue to evolve as a leading NSW council and would maintain its focus on delivering outcomes for the community, including ongoing infrastructure renewal, planning for growth and seeking funding opportunities to support this growth.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is a finalist in the city and regional councils category and is up against Sydney councils and other regional councils.
Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling said the council had worked hard over the past four years and it was an honour to be an A R Bluett Memorial Award finalist.
He said to be nominated as a finalist was a great result, alongside the fact that the councillors who stood for re-election were successful.
The A R Bluett Memorial Award winners will be announced during the Local Government NSW annual conference at Wollongong from October 16 to 18.
Cr Besseling and councillors Peter Alley, Mike Cusato and the general manager will attend the conference.