The LGMA Awards for Excellence recognise the best of local government initiatives in the state, noting the differing environments and communities that local government serves. LGMA is delighted to present a programme which acknowledges and celebrates the outstanding work undertaken by local governments across Queensland.
The categories are designed to be flexible – recognising that local government is at the forefront of innovation and operates in a rapidly changing environment. Categories are not intended to be limited to particular areas of local government activity. Instead, they are applicable to activities across the whole of local government.
This individual has gone ‘above and beyond’ their stated duties to deliver added service to their community or council. This will be work for which they have not received additional remuneration and is most likely self-generated, showing genuine initiative for the benefit of the organisation and, ultimately, its customers.
Collaboration
This project or initiative involved genuine collaboration with multiple parties (internal and external to council) in order to implement more effective service delivery models for the benefit of the organisations and the community. This may have been through an informal agreement or a more formal legal structure.
Community Shaping
This project or initiative has influenced community behaviour and practice. It has educated and informed community opinion leading to sustainable, positive changes in the community. There is clear evidence of its success in enhancing community wellbeing, understanding and/or awareness and in engendering behaviour change.
Innovation
This project or initiative has adopted a new and different approach, leading to improved (or new) service delivery and/or performance. This initiative is cutting-edge and has probably not been seen in Queensland councils before, certainly not in this format.
Resourcefulness
This award category recognises projects or initiatives undertaken by Category 1 Councils (please refer to your council subscription to LGMA) that showcase the philosophy of ‘doing more with less’. Lateral thinking, creativity, increased productivity and simplicity are the drivers of this successful project or initiative that is an aspirational model for other small councils.
Sustainability
This project or initiative has enhanced the long-term sustainability of council and/or the community. It may be through more sustainable use of human, financial and other resources or it may be related to environmental sustainability.
Teamwork
This team is an internal council team or a team involving multiple areas of council. The manner in which it has utilised resources, collaborated and communicated proves the adage that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It has contributed, in a measurable way, to enhanced service delivery within or external to council.
Workplace Wellbeing
Workplace health and wellbeing programmes have real potential to positively influence the health of councils’ workforces while making good business sense through increasing employee engagement and team cohesiveness and leading to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity in the long-term. This project or initiative demonstrates evidence of fostering healthy workplace policies and supportive environments that promote healthy lifestyles that enhance positive social conditions.
Nomination Process
Council subscribers of LGMA may nominate projects for the LGMA Awards for Excellence. For 2026, the nomination fees have been waived.
The nomination process is accessible online here. For your convenience, we have created a template documentto enable you to populate your responses. We recommend you plan your nomination using this document before submitting information online. This will enable you to check inclusions and word counts prior to officially submitting your nomination. You can then copy and paste directly from this document into the online submissions form.
Councils may submit numerous projects. Multiple nominations are permitted in all categories. A project or initiative may be nominated in up to two categories and each will be treated as a separate nomination. If nominating a project in more than one category, nominators should ensure the nomination is tailored to address each of the category requirements.
Awards nominations Open Monday 3 November 2025
Awards nominations Close 3.00pm, Wednesday 22 April 2026
Judging period 23 April – 1 May 2026
Winners announced At the Awards for Excellence event on Thursday 28 May 2026
2026 Awards for Excellence Celebratory Event
Date: Thursday 28 May 2026
Venue: State Library of Queensland, Stanley Place, Southbank
Registration and Presentation: Auditorium 1 on Level 2
Networking Event: Queensland Terrace on Level 2
Times: Registration/Seated between 3.30-4.00pm
Awards Ceremony from 4.00pm
Celebratory Networking Event from 5.15-7.00pm (Cocktail style event with drinks and finger food)
Registration Options:
Council Officer Individual Rate $150.00 pp
Council Officers' Package for 5 Attendees $600.00 per pack
Council Officer Virtual Attendance (Zoom) $85.00 per logon
Australasian Management Challenge Teams - please contact LGMA directly to access your tickets.
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