We are delighted to run the Tasmanian Local Government Awards for Excellence each year.
Sponsored by MAV Insurance, the prestigious awards are an annual celebration of Tasmanian local government achievements, highlighting innovative solutions that make a difference to local communities.
Following the close of the nomination period, the judging panel will determine finalists and a winner for each category. The 2026 awards were presented at our Annual Conference Dinner on 20 August.
For more information, please read the below.
Details on our Service Awards can be found here.
There are three award categories that celebrate the strengths of local government in Tasmania and its ability to deliver positive outcomes for the community.
- Delivering Excellence – Smaller Councils (populations up to 15,000)
- Delivering Excellence – Larger Councils (populations over 15,000)
- Showcasing innovation – All councils
The three categories provide an opportunity for all councils to showcase innovation and achievement, with consideration to different resourcing abilities.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2026
Each submission must address all criteria and be a maximum of three pages (images are additional).
All submissions must be accompanied by an image/s of the project to support the nomination. Nominations from a council should include a council logo. All nominations require endorsement by council management prior to submission.
Eligible projects can be of any size that are delivering positive community outcomes, or projects currently underway that are expected to do so once complete.
Previous nominees can be renominated. This excludes previous category winners.
Entries must be completed using the entry form and be submitted electronically to reception@lgat.tas.gov.au. Nominations closed at 5:00pm on 3 July 2026.
Selection criteria
Delivering Excellence
- Positive outcome(s) for the community.
- How did your community benefit from the project/activity and how is this demonstrated?
- Are these benefits long or short term?
- Were there any additional or unexpected benefits?
- Excellence in delivery.
- How does the project/activity demonstrate excellence in delivery?
- Could other councils use/benefit from this approach?
Showcasing Innovation
- Positive outcome(s) for the community.
- How did your community benefit from the project/activity and how is this demonstrated?
- Are these benefits long or short term?
- Were there any additional or unexpected benefits?
- Innovation, creativity, or uniqueness.
- What was innovative, creative or unique about your approach?
Rules of entry
- Each entry must be electronic and submitted as a completed entry form.
- Entries must be accompanied by a minimum of one high-resolution image/s.
- Entries must address all of the criteria for the relevant award, be a maximum of three pages (images are additional) and received no later than 5:00pm on 3 July 2026.
- Entries and supplied images may be used in publication materials by LGAT. No payment of royalties will be made.
- No alterations are permitted after the date of submission.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
The Local Government Association of Tasmania congratulates the City of Launceston, Devonport City Council and Tasman Council as the winners of the 2025 Local Government Awards for Excellence.
Waratah-Wynyard Council won the Delivering Excellence – Smaller Council Award (population under 15,000)
 | Waratah-Wynyard Council's winning project was A Garden for Everyone: Inclusive Place-Making on the Wynyard Foreshore. This public space was designed to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, including those living with dementia, people with disability, those with sensory sensitivities, older residents and families. The garden incorporates accessible pathways, sensory-rich plantings that engage sight, sound, smell and touch throughout the seasons, public art, interpretive signage and quiet spaces for reflection. The judges recognised this as an excellent example of how community engagement can help shape places that have meaning for people, helping to ensure that residents feel a sense of ownership of the garden. |
Meander Valley Council won the Delivering Excellence – Larger Council Award (population over 15,000)
 | Meander Valley Council's Deloraine Racecourse Precinct Redevelopment project was the winning entry for the Larger Council Award. This project transformed one of Australia's oldest racecourses into a vibrant community recreation destination while preserving its rich heritage. Guided by extensive community consultation, Meander Valley delivered a range of recreational features, including walking tracks, an all-ages play space, landscaped parkland and improved accessibility. Importantly, the redevelopment retained and celebrated key historic structures, ensuring the stories, memories and identity of the former racecourse remain part of the precinct for future generations. The judges recognised this project as an outstanding example of community engagement, transforming an underutilised site into a place that people of all ages can enjoy while connecting them with the area's history. |
Huon Valley Council won the Showcasing Innovation Award
 | Huon Valley Council took home the Showcasing Innovation Award for its Liveability by Design: A Community-Centred Decision-Making Model . The framework combines feedback from more than 1,200 residents with social, economic and demographic data to guide council planning, budgeting and policy decisions. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, it uses evidence and community priorities to focus on the issues that matter most to residents. It is supported by community forums, a dedicated online engagement platform and partnership agreements with local groups, creating an ongoing process that empowers communities to work alongside council to improve liveability across the Huon Valley. The judges commended the project’s innovative approach and its potential to be replicated by other councils, and that it took into account local government’s increasing role in community wellbeing. |
We also congratulate George Town Council, which received a highly commended award in the Showcasing Innovation category for its Our Futures project. In addition, Huon Valley Council received a highly commended award for the Delivering Excellence – Larger Council category for 'Michael’ the 24/7 planning advisor AI planning tool.
Full details of the Awards for Excellence can be found in our media release.
Each category winner received:
- An award certificate presented by the President of the LGAT.
- The opportunity to speak at the award ceremony.
- A commemorative trophy recognising their achievement in the relevant category.
- Promotion of the winning project via the LGAT’s channels and platforms throughout the year.
If you require any additional information, please email reception@lgat.tas.gov.au
