An early morning roading report provided to thousands of motorists during winter months by Queenstown Lakes District Council is a finalist in the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) EXCELLENCE Awards.
Now in their fourth year, the Awards recognise and celebrate the key leadership role that local government plays in communities around the country.
The report is distributed to over 3,800 subscribers by email at 6.30am, seven days a week, and is also delivered via Facebook, Twitter and text message alerts, reaching thousands of locals and visitors with details on roading conditions across the district. People can sign up for the reports easily via the QLDC website.
The project is a finalist in the Fulton Hogan EXCELLENCE Award for Community Engagement with the council working with roading contractors to identify driving hazards arising from snow, ice and grit.
The report allows drivers to better plan their routes before leaving home during the beautiful, but cold, Queenstown winters.
Judges said this was an innovative use of new technology focused on a very specific need, leveraging existing information provided by roading contractors.
“It has the potential to be expanded to include weather-related information and reach the non-local, tourist population as well.”
LGNZ President Lawrence Yule said the finalists in the EXCELLENCE Awards showcased outstanding leadership being provided by local government throughout the country.
“Local government is at the centre of every community in New Zealand, helping shape the environment in which we work and play,” Mr Yule says.
“Being named as a finalist is a great achievement and reflects the vision shown by councils and the innovative work being done by staff. The finalists include some truly exceptional projects that are having a profound impact on communities.”
Local authorities were invited to submit award applications in five categories:
- Fulton Hogan EXCELLENCE Award for Community Engagement
- Creative New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Best Creative Place
- Air New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Environmental Impact
- Chorus EXCELLENCE Award for Best Practice in Infrastructure
- Crown Fibre Holdings EXCELLENCE Award for Best Practice Contribution to Local Economic Development
Judges for the awards are former Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Chair of EQC Sir Maarten Wevers and The New Zealand Initiative’s Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich.