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NGAA Awards - recognising excellence and innovation

2023 NGAA Awards

The NGAA Awards celebrate and showcase excellence and best practice from projects and initiatives supporting the development of growth areas across the country.
 
Entries for the 2023 NGAA Awards are now open and submissions close on Monday, 17 April. Large files (eg videos) in support of your submission can be sent via WeTransfer.com.
 
Want to know what makes a winning project? See the NGAA Award winners from previous years below.
 
Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner during the NGAA National Congress in South Australia on 4 May, 2023.
awards Entry Form

Award categories and judging criteria

Category 1:   Research and Practice
This category will showcase research or innovative practice that has been led by Local Government and which has resulted in improved outcomes for growth areas. Entries may be based on projects undertaken solely by an individual Council, a group of Councils or in collaboration with industry or academia.
 
Entries will be assessed on:
• Use of evidence base to identify the need for the project
• Innovation in project design and delivery
• Evidence of improvements to local government practice including capacity building within Council
• Evaluation of the impact of the project in relation to NGAA’s core pillars – liveability, productivity and resilience.
Category 2:   Built Environment
This category is for completed projects in the built environment that show best practice design, collaboration and impact.
 
Entries will be assessed on:
• Methodology and evidence base used to identify the need for the project
• Innovation in project design and delivery
• Evidence of improvements to local government service provision achieved through the project
• Evaluation of the impact of the project in relation to NGAA’s core pillars – liveability, productivity and resilience.
Category 3 - Partnerships - Building Connections
This category showcases partnerships and collaboration that have achieved better outcomes for communities. Partnerships need to include local government, and may be in collaboration with Industry, Local, State or Federal Government, Community groups or other Stakeholders.
 
Entries will be assessed on:
• Process used to identify partners and outcomes to be achieved through collaboration.
• Innovation in collaboration such as new partnerships, new engagement methodologies or new fields of practice.
• Evidence of improvements to local government practice arising from the partnership, including capacity building within Council
• Evaluation of the impact of the project in relation to NGAA’s core pillars – liveability, productivity and resilience.
Category 4 - Advocacy
This category is in support of Councils’ efforts to achieve outcomes in funding or policy that were achieved through dedicated advocacy efforts (to any level of government).
 
Entries will be assessed on:
• Innovation in advocacy practice – campaign design and delivery, integration of advocacy into broader Council strategic objectives
• Evidence of improvements to local government practice including capacity building within Council
• Evaluation of the impact of the project in relation to NGAA’s core pillars – liveability, productivity and resilience.
Category 5 - Leadership in Growth Areas
Award Partner - City of Playford, SA
 
This category is aimed at recognising an individual or team from within a NGAA Member Council who has shown an outstanding commitment and leadership to pursuing better outcomes for growth areas, in any aspect of Council work. This award will be offered as ongoing recognition of the leadership of the founders of NGAA.
Entries will be assessed on evaluation of the impact of the individual or team going 'above and beyond' to improve the liveability, productivity and resilience of the nominee's LGA or growth areas more broadly. 

 

2022 Awards Photo Gallery

Visit our photo gallery here.

2022 NGAA Award Winners
 

Category 1 - Research and Practice

Winner: Penrith City Council for Places of Penrith - Developing a place-based strategic framework

Council has developed a suite of city shaping strategies for a place-based approach across the city. The strategies are:

  • Employment Lands
  • Green Grid
  • Rural Land 
  • Corridors and Centres

Each strategy is underpinned by research, spatial analysis and social, economic and environmental criteria-based prioritisation.

Commendations:

  • RMIT, Wyndham City Council and City of Casey for Early Delivery of Equitable and Healthy Transport Options in new suburbs
    • The study looked at aspects impacting on transport provision and accessibility and how to improve planning for early transport delivery in growth areas.
  • Penrith City Council for The Quarter Health and Education Precinct Prospectus and Investment Campaign
    • Council used a collaborative approach to engage with stakeholders in the 400 hectare health and education precinct Quarter at Kingswood, a key centre in Penrith's East-West Economic Corridor.

 

 

Category 2 - Built Environment

Winner: City of Cockburn for Wetlands Precinct

A transformative redevleopment underpinned by a collaborative partnership with site tenants delivered a new, sustainable, purpose-built community facility at the Cockburn Wetlands Precinct in the Bibra Lake A-Class Reserve.

Commendation: Melton City Council for Cobblebank Indoor Stadium

 

 

 

Category 3 - Partnerships - Building Connections

Joint winners:

City-wide strategic planning identified the need for a new school and social infrastructure in the growth area suburb of Angle Vale. Council advocqacy led to early engagement with the Education Department and a partnership to incorporate shared-use facilities. A 30 year Council Enhancement Deed between project partners TESA Education, Department for Education and the City of Playford formalises the collaboration and ensures the longevity of the facility usage.

Council redeveloped Melton Central Community Centre into an integrated hub with a new building and service model. The Centre co-locates service providers including Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services, Catholic Care and MiCare to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive destination.

Commendations:

  • Mount Barker District Council for Mount Barker Developer Partnership in Growth Management
  • City of Whittlesea for Olivine Place

 

 

Category 4 - Advocacy

Winner: City of Kwinana for Indian Ocean Gateway

With high growth and high unemployment, Council's advocacy has focused on expediting State Government delivery of the Indian Ocean Gateway - a container port long identified in plans. The City executed a strategic advocacy framework that in 2017 led to the commitment of the then shadow government to plan and construct the new port.

Commendation: Wollondilly Council for Wilton Health and Wellbeing Strategy

 

 

Category 5 - Leadership in Growth Areas

Winner: City of Playford for Andrew Smith - Playford Growth Areas

Development in the Playford Growth Area is on privately-held, fragmented land between two rural townships with inadequate existing infrastructure, complex legal arrangements and multiple stakeholders. Andrew Smith has established credible and trusted relationships with landholders, State Government, service providers and developers, and has been critical to securing funding and delivery of infrastructure. 

 

Commendation: Cardinia Shire Council for Lisa Hall's contribution to growth area planning

 

 

 

2019 NGAA Award winners

 

Research and Practice Award

Sponsored by Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) 

Winner - City of Cockburn for Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Plan

Pictured: Councillor Lee-Anne Smith, City of Cockburn and Dr Michael Fotheringham, AHURI

Commendation

 

Built Environment Award

Sponsored by the City of Swan

Winner - City of Casey for Selandra Community Hub

  

Pictured: Kathryn Seirlis, City of Casey and Mike Foley, City of Swan

Commendation

  • City of Armadale for Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre

 

Partnerships and Building Connections Award

Sponsored by Astrolabe Group

Winner - Penrith Council for Penrith Health Action Plan

Pictured: Rachel Pagitz, Penrith City Council and  Belinda Campbell-Comninos, Astrolabe Group

Commendation

 

Advocacy Award

Sponsored by McLeods Barristers and Solicitors

Winner - Penrith Council for Penrith Council Advocacy Journey

Pictured: Rachel Pagitz, Penrith City Council and Denis McLeod, McLeods Barristers & Solicitors

Commendations

 

Leadership in Growth Award

Sponsored by the City of Casey

Winner - City of Playford

Pictured: Phil Harrison and Mayor Glenn Docherty, both City of Playford, and Jayden Mizzi, City of Casey

Commendation

  • Sean McManus (Melton City Council) and Nathan Burbridge (Penrith City Council)

 

2018 Award Winners

Designing the Outer Suburbs of the Future

Winner: City of Wanneroo - Activating Yanchep for the future by building on the past
Commendation: Melton City Council - Atherstone Library Access Point

Creating Value through Growth

Winner: City of Wanneroo - Kinkuna Park Smart Playground Technology
Commendation: City of Playford - Prince George Plaza

Building Connections in Growth Areas

Winner: City of Cockburn - Cockburn ARC
Commendation: Cardinia Shire Council - Together We Can

Digital Agency Zeemo