LAKE Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz has described the AR Bluett Memorial Award as the "pinnacle of local government" after his council was recognised as NSW's most progressive.
Lake Macquarie City Council was unveiled as the metropolitan/major regional winner at the yearly awards in Tamworth on Sunday evening, as part of the Local Government NSW Annual Conference.
Bega Valley Shire Council was the winner of the regional/rural category.
It was the first victory in the AR Bluett Memorial Award for Lake Macquarie since 2011-12, and its second since the honour was created in 1945.
Last year, Lake Macquarie was runner-up to Sydney's Inner West.
"It's highest honour in local government land, so to pick it up is a huge achievement," Cr Shultz told the Newcastle Herald from Tamworth.
"We're not resting on our laurels. We're going to continue doing what we're doing for the betterment of the city.
"As someone who has been on council for the last eight years, you want to shape your region, and that's what we're collectively trying to do, so we make it a better place than how we found it."
Lake Macquarie's success followed the endorsement of its 2023-24 annual report a fortnight ago, which revealed a 97 per cent completion of council actions.
Cr Shultz identified the completion of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, the Windale Hub, bilyabayi and the Sugar Valley Library Museum and council staff as reasons for the success.
"To be able to get the award in 2024 is testament to the 1300 staff that effectively get their hands dirty on a day-to-day basis on our behalf," he said.
AR Bluett Awards trustee chairman and judge, Les McMahon, said Lake Macquarie City Council's governance had generated seven per cent growth and 22,000 new jobs over the past decade.
"Lake Macquarie City Council's motto over the past 10 years has been, 'Let's be brave, bold and courageous', as it helped the community move from the downturn in mining and manufacturing to hospitality, health and service industries," Mr McMahon said.
"The council embarked on a courageous strategy, proactively working to grow the city, attracting new and younger residents and insulating the economy from the downturn in traditional mining and manufacturing industries."
The AR Bluett Memorial Award is expected to be officially presented to council in February by the Local Government NSW.
