Future-planning accolades keep flowing in
13/10/2009 10:33:00 AM
Gold Coast City Council’s Bold Future project has taken top honours in the Queensland Public Sector Excellence Awards for Best Practice in Local Government.Gold Coast Water Infrastructure Planning Manager, Guillermo ‘Bill’ Capati was also named the Public Sector Professional of the Year at the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Queensland Public Sector Excellence Awards, held at Old Queensland Government House over the weekend (9/10).
Mayor Cr Ron Clarke said the awards recognised best practice and rewarded innovative improvements, individuals and teams within Queensland’s federal, state and local public sector.
“IPAA is the peak body representing more than 270,000 public sector professionals across the State,” Cr Clarke said.
“To achieve such recognition is indeed an honour for the Council, our staff and the city.
“It is particularly significant coming in these inaugural awards, during the year of our Queensland 150th celebrations and will set the standard for years to come.”
Chair of Council’s Sustainable City Future Committee, Councillor Peter Young, said the accolade for Bold Future was well deserved.
“Bold Future is one of the most extensive community consultation processes ever undertaken in Australia. It creates a blueprint for a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable city,” Cr Young said.
“More than 11,000 Gold Coast residents contributed to its development, along with best-practice research and a highly-qualified independent advisory committee.
“The resulting vision is now part of our Corporate Plan for 2009-2014 and our annual Operational Plan for 20090-2010.
“The community can have real certainty that it is driving Council’s future directions.”
Council’s Water Management Committee Chair, Councillor Daphne McDonald praised Mr Capati for his high accolade.
“Bill Capati had been part of the Gold Coast Water team for 10 years,” Cr McDonald said.
“He has been part of many major projects and contributed to the forward planning of $1.6 billion worth of infrastructure assets. These have included water mains, pump stations, reservoirs and treatment plants.
“He is a valued staff member who was at the helm of the recent Global Water Awards Public Agency of the Year Awards win – in recognition of innovative water planning and management.
“This certainly is another big tick we can add to the growing list of state, national and international awards we have received in innovative water planning and management.
