OUR ORGANISATION, OUR PEOPLE
Awards and recognition Australasian Our 2019/20 annual report received a Gold Award at the Australasian Reporting Awards. Over the three years of entering these awards we have achieved two Bronze awards and one Gold.
State awards Local Government Professionals NSW Local Government Awards 2021 Finalist in six categories, with two highly commended and one win: • Finalist: Customer Experience Award Customer Experience Excellence Program • Finalist: Innovative Leadership New Rates 2021 • Finalist: Supporting Local Enterprise Award Economic and Social Recovery Plan Highly Commended: Environmental Leadership Award Gannons Park Water Quality Improvement and Stormwater Harvesting Scheme The Gannons Park Water Quality Improvement and Stormwater Harvesting Scheme is a large-scale landscape and stormwater treatment project focused on reinstating a section of Boggywell Creek to develop significant public space and improve the community’s connection to environmental processes. This project involved the removal of concrete stormwater infrastructure and construction/ reinstatement of natural waterway features including swales, wetlands, ponds and bioretention systems. This work has improved the local environment by increasing terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, improving the quality of stormwater entering the Georges River, saving potable water while creating opportunities for the community to enjoy the park through the associated landscaping, shared path and facilities. The harvested stormwater will be used to irrigate the regionally significant sporting fields on the upper section of the park.
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Georges River Council // Annual Report 2020/21
Highly Commended: Special Project Initiative: THRIVE! We implemented an alternative learning program to ensure staff continued to feel supported personally and professionally and remained connected to each other through the unprecedented times COVID-19 presented. The THRIVE! Learning Program was designed, developed and delivered internally and launched within two weeks of staff being directed to work from home and partial business closures. THRIVE! allowed staff to access a range of skill development opportunities through flexible online learning as well as resources and practical strategies to support their health and wellbeing. We are proud to have launched a program that supported staff to adjust to new ways of working, manage mental wellbeing and maintain a sense of belonging to our organisation and the community. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting that the program added real value to our staff and supporting its continuation into 2021. Winner: People, Workplace, Wellbeing: BENE-FIT 360 The BENE-FIT 360 program actively supports our employees to achieve total wellbeing. It promotes a holistic view of wellness through initiatives that fall under three overarching pillars: • M-FIT – a commitment to a mentally fit workforce • WELL-FIT – a commitment to wellness and belonging • FLEX-FIT – a commitment to a flexible and agile workforce. BENE-FIT 360 helps to drive a healthier, happier and more engaged and productive workforce; through this we will attract and retain top talent and promote Council as an employer of choice. Through BENE-FIT 360 initiatives such as mental health awareness training in partnership with Mental Health Movement, we have encouraged more open conversation about mental health. Our return to the workplace following remote working embedded flexible work practices in policy through the adopted Flex-Fit Policy in November 2020.
