COMMUNITY & INTEGRATED PLANNING 2024 AWARD
AWARD SPONSOR
AWARD BOOKLET
ABOUT THIS AWARD
The Corporate and Community Planning Award celebrates the success of individuals and teams working in the Local Government Corporate and Community Planning sector in Victoria.
This initiative of LGPro’s Corporate Planners Network Special Interest Group focuses on local government initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the areas of:
• Council planning
• Community planning
• Integrating Council and community planning
• Performance measurement and management
• Service planning, delivery, or enhancement
• Sustainable community involvement in Council and community planning
• Planning for environmental sustainability
• Planning for business transformation.
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THE CONNECTED FLEET - BRINGING TEAMS TOGETHER TO CREATE A SAFE, SUSTAINABLE AND STREAMLINED WORKPLACE.
The Connected Fleet is transforming the way our teams work by bringing real-time visibility and information to the workplace. This technology enhances not only our driver’s safety with utilisation and maintenance tools, but also promotes sustainability through fuel efficiency and effective job management.
From compliance and safety features via smart cameras, through to the automation of previously manual tasks like maintenance and document management, getting connected with fleet technologies can improve the productivity and efficiency across your local government operation.
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WINNER
Cardinia Shire Council
Social and Affordable Housing Negotiations
Cardinia Shire Council’s Social and Affordable Housing Strategy 2018-25 has not only met but exceeded expectations, securing over 18 lots and 22 dwellings since 2018, far surpassing the initial goal of five social housing commitments. This remarkable achievement underscores the council’s proactive approach to addressing housing challenges and its commitment to community wellbeing.
The strategy was developed in response to the municipality’s rapid growth and the increasing prevalence of housing stress among residents. Building upon extensive research and community consultation, the council’s Liveability Plan 2017-29 and subsequent Community Vision underscored the need to prioritise access to suitable and affordable housing. Consequently, the Social and Affordable Housing Strategy 2018-25 was adopted, outlining clear objectives and strategies to achieve this goal.
A key factor in the strategy’s success has been the collaboration between Cardinia’s Growth Area Planning and Subdivision Team and the Health and Social Planning Team. By working together, these teams have been able to leverage their respective expertise and networks to secure commitments from developers.
Through proactive negotiation early in the permit application process, the council has facilitated the transfer of properties to Community Housing Providers (CHAs), thereby assisting those facing housing stress and homelessness.
This collaborative approach has yielded tangible results, with over 137 new affordable dwellings committed within the municipality. Furthermore, it has fostered increased community awareness and councillor advocacy for social and affordable housing initiatives. Cardinia’s commitment to ongoing monitoring and stakeholder engagement ensures that its efforts remain aligned with community needs and aspirations.
Looking ahead, Cardinia plans to review the Social and Affordable Housing Strategy in 2025, ensuring that objectives remain relevant and responsive to evolving challenges. By embedding social and affordable housing considerations into planning frameworks and fostering a culture of collaboration, Cardinia Shire Council continues to set a compelling example for creating inclusive communities and addressing housing inequities.
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FINALIST
Glen Eira City Council Placemaking Strategy
Glen Eira’s Placemaking Strategy is transforming public spaces into inclusive, vibrant hubs through collaborative community engagement and innovative initiatives. The strategy, aligned with the 2040 Community Vision and Council Plan 2021-2025, fosters a sense of ownership among residents, strengthens neighbourhood identity, and enhances safety through collaboration.
Demonstration projects showcasing “lighter, quicker, cheaper” installations have been pivotal in engaging the community and illustrating the potential impact of small changes. These projects enable immersive collaboration, empowering residents to contribute to their neighbourhoods. Moreover, the strategy facilitates the testing of new ideas, fostering a culture of innovation and responsiveness to community needs.
The council’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic obstacles and expanding funding opportunities demonstrates a proactive approach to supporting grassroots initiatives. By embracing a collaborative model, Glen Eira empowers residents to lead projects that enhance their surroundings, while also providing a platform for testing and refining innovative solutions.
The Placemaking Strategy’s success is evident in its ability to foster community connections, revitalise public spaces, and promote inclusivity. Through ongoing engagement and feedback mechanisms, the council ensures that placemaking efforts remain responsive and aligned with community aspirations, ultimately creating vibrant, welcoming environments that reflect the diverse needs and preferences of Glen Eira residents.
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FINALIST
Whittlesea City Council Integrated Planning, Outcomes and Measurement Framework
The Integrated Planning Outcomes Framework transformed the City of Whittlesea’s planning processes, ensuring alignment with the endorsed Community Vision while focusing on tangible community benefits. By consolidating over 100 policies and plans into seven core strategies, the framework enhances transparency while prioritising community outcomes.
Following extensive consultation with 600 community members and 100 advisory groups and other stakeholders, the framework has ensured that planning efforts have been informed by the needs and demographics of the community. Clear action plans aligned with each strategy harness organisational effort, driving impactful outcomes identified in collaboration with the community.
The framework’s implementation involved robust engagement, project planning, and collaboration across various departments, fostering a shared understanding and commitment to achieving strategic goals. It marks a proactive shift towards outcome-driven planning, enhancing the organisation’s ability to address community needs and intervene if progress falls short of expectations.
This approach not only streamlines planning processes but also integrates budgeting, planning, and engagement efforts, maximising the community impact of the council’s actions. Through initiatives like the Integrated Planning Framework, Whittlesea is transforming its planning landscape, driving efficiency, and prioritising community wellbeing.
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