Local governments in Western Australia are encouraged to have their placemaking initiatives recognised by entering the Minister’s Place Innovation Awards 2024.
Nominations are now open in three categories: metropolitan and Peel; regional WA and outstanding achievement that covers all of WA.
WA Local Government Minister, Hannah Beazley said placemaking helps build community connections by bringing together planners, community members, architects, local government, business and other groups, working collaboratively to activate local spaces.
“The inaugural year in 2023 attracted a total of 31 nominations, so we want to exceed that number in 2024 and be able to showcase the many varied and wonderful projects that improve our quality of living at a local community level,” said Minister Beazley.
“Potential nominations may be a project the local government has actively initiated and led or has collaborated on with the community, or could be something as simple as removing barriers to place-related improvements.
“I urge all local governments in WA to submit nominations for the second year of the Place Innovation Awards and be acknowledged for their innovative efforts to create spaces that bring people together and give them a sense of belonging.”
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.
Town Teams Movement is a non-profit organisation that enables communities and local governments to connect, organise and act to regenerate the fabric of their neighbourhoods and to create better places.
The awards will be given to a local government that:
- provides an innovative approach to a place-based opportunity or challenge;
- demonstrates significant improvements to standard practices; and
- shows a high level of collaboration with external stakeholders and/or across different areas within local government.
In its inaugural year in 2023, the three 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 under utilised public space into a vibrant hive of activity.
Nominations for this year can be submitted via the Town Teams Movement website(link is external) and the closing date is 16 August 2024. Winners will be announced on 9 October 2024 during the WALGA Local Government Convention.
For the second year, DLGSC has funded free placemaking training for all elected members and local government staff in WA. Find out more at townteammovement.com.
