Randwick City Council took home two accolades in the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards last night, Thursday 3 June 2021, for environmental leadership and as state winners of the Australasian Management Challenge.

The Maroubra Stormwater Harvesting and Outdoor Living Classroom, located at Maroubra Beach, won the Environmental Leadership category and Randwick team, Breaking Waves, were the NSW Region Winners of the Australasian Management Challenge. The team will now represent NSW at the national event, competing against other state winners from across Australia and New Zealand.

“These are two outstanding achievements and we are justifiably proud of both teams,” stated Randwick Mayor Danny Said. “The Maroubra Stormwater Harvesting project was a major undertaking, with construction taking place throughout the majority of 2020 – a notably disruptive year. Nonetheless, our Infrastructure team faced down these complex challenges and completed the system, which will save up to 40 million litres of potable water each year.”

“It’s very fulfilling to see that Infrastructure Services' commitment to serving our community and ensuring that we make the best use of our natural resources has been recognised with the NSW Local Government Environmental Leadership award,” said General Manager Therese Manns.

“I’m also incredibly impressed by this year’s Management Challenge winners, Breaking Waves, who not only showed how strong they work together as a team but did so during a pandemic – a time defined by challenges! They showed incredible leadership and I’m excited to see where the next challenge takes them, I know they are capable of great things.”

The Maroubra Stormwater Harvesting Project involved the construction of a two-million litre stormwater harvesting facility that includes filtration units, pumps, and an automatic irrigation system. It will provide water for the toilets at Maroubra Surf Club and South Maroubra amenities. The project was overseen by Infrastructure Services Coordinator Joe Santangelo and Environmental Engineer Zaman Shamsuz, with Communications support from Jillian Lewis.

The Australasian Management Challenge is a simulation-based team building, learning and networking program that uses real local government themes that the teams must navigate and overcome. The Breaking Waves team consisted of Gemma Elliott, Mark Falaniko, Ian Bond, Bohdan Flower, Cecile Nilsen and Jane Parker, as well as mentors Justine McHarg and Rona Puntawe.

Local Government Professionals Australia, NSW is the leading association representing the professionals in NSW local government. They are committed to maintaining high professional and ethical standards throughout the sector and ensuring that their members are at the forefront of change and innovation.