Minister’s Place Innovation Awards 2024
Local governments in WA are encouraged to have their placemaking initiatives recognised by entering this year’s Minister for Local Government’s Place Innovation Awards.
Nominations are now open in 3 categories:
- metropolitan Perth and Peel
- regional WA
- outstanding achievement (either metropolitan, Peel or regional initiatives).
In its inaugural year in 2023, the 3 winners were: the City of Kwinana for a community-led series of placemaking initiatives at a neighbourhood centre; the City of Mandurah with a game changing level of transparency in infrastructure policy; and the Shire of Pingelly for their transformation of underutilised public space into a vibrant hive of activity.
The awards, administered by Town Team Movement with support from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC), are designed to recognise and promote innovative place-related projects, policies and activities.
Nominations should demonstrate:
- an innovative approach to a place-based opportunity or challenge
- significant improvements to standard practices
- a high level of collaboration with external stakeholders and/or across different areas within local government.
To learn more, visit the Town Team Movement website and submit your nomination by 5pm, 16 August 2024.
Winners will be announced on 9 October 2024 during the WALGA Local Government Convention.
Photo: 2023 Outstanding Achievement Award winner, City of Kwinana — Wellard Village 7 day makeover project.
Free placemaking training extended for another year
Hundreds of local government staff from councils across WA have accessed free placemaking training in its first year through a world first program delivered by Town Team Movement, supported by DLGSC.
Local government staff and elected officials have another year to access free training, with funding for the program extended until July 2025 in response to strong interest from the sector.
Placemaking helps build community connections by bringing together planners, community members, architects, local government, business and other groups, working collaboratively to activate local spaces.
Kim Walsh, an Officer with the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu, said the training widened her perspective on how to create and encourage change.
“One of the key messages I took away from the training session was that placemaking is like making a house a home.
“I believe this statement perfectly highlights how placemaking can truly make a difference to our communities and in turn our lives. It should be a priority for anyone involved in the local government sector.”
Town Team Movement is a non-profit organisation that enables local communities and governments to connect, organise and act to regenerate the fabric of their neighbourhoods and create better places