Council
30 May, 2026
Councils shortlisted for state honours
Several councils across Southern NSW are in the running for state recognition.
Several councils across Southern NSW are in the running for state recognition, with projects from Wollondilly, Wingecarribee, Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley and Camden named as finalists in the 2025 Local Government Professionals Australia NSW Awards.
Wollondilly Shire Council features heavily among the finalists, securing nominations across several categories. Projects recognised include Ride, Climb, Play: Appin Park Adventure, the Thirlmere Festival of Steam partnership, Tourism Connect, the Wollondilly Customer Experience and Enhancement Program and an artificial intelligence project aimed at improving development assessment processes. Wollondilly staff member Nafizul Akash has also been shortlisted in the Emerging Leader category.
Wingecarribee Shire Council is represented by the Murraural 4K Playspace project, which has been shortlisted in the Asset and Infrastructure category.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council has been recognised in the Environmental Leadership category for its ReUse Goulburn initiative, which focuses on transforming local resource recovery and reducing waste sent to landfill.
Upper Lachlan Shire Council has been recognised for its Roving Art Show and Arts Culture Heritage Trail initiative in the Festivals and Community Events category, while its "Got Your Back" workplace wellbeing program is also a finalist.
Yass Valley Council has been shortlisted in the Special Project Initiative category for its Workplace Change Proposal.
Camden Council also secured multiple nominations, including for Boots n' Beats Camden Country Music Festival, Camden CARES: Creating Community Leadership for Future Resilience, ai CHAT LINC and several community-focused initiatives.
The annual awards recognise innovation, leadership, infrastructure delivery, community engagement and organisational excellence across local government in New South Wales.
The winners are set to be announced at a gala event in Sydney this Thursday, June 4. Tickets are available at a cost of $350 per person.
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