Gunnedah Shire Council’s best practice water management has paid off after taking home top accolades at the Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Water Management Conference Awards recently.

A conference dinner was held at Western Plains Zoo featuring awards for the most improved water and sewer business with less than 5000 connections and businesses with greater than 5000 connections. Gunnedah Shire Councillor John Campbell and Manager Water Services Kevin Sheridan attended the annual conference in Dubbo on 4-6 September – accepting awards on Council’s behalf.

Gunnedah Shire Council was announced the winner of the Most Improved Small Sewerage Provider (less than 5000 connections) and the inaugural Overall Winner of the Sam Samra Award for 2017, for Most Improved Water and Sewerage Service Provider.

“It’s an honour to be recognised, especially with the inaugural Sam Samra Award. Sam was passionate about the Local Government water industry and worked tirelessly to improve water and sewer businesses with the introduction of best practice water management and benchmarking Councils’ performances with annual reporting,” Manager Water Services Kevin Sheridan said.

“To be acknowledged on this scale is a huge credit to our entire team and the Council as a whole. There is a lot of work from different departments to achieve the final result.”

The winners were selected following an investigation by a panel of Department of Primary Industries Water staff evaluating 10 years of data from annual performance reports, returns and compliance with best practice management requirements.

“The Sam Samra Awards are seen as very prestigious in the water and sewer industry. The recognition of Kevin and his team being selected for two of these awards across all Councils in NSW reflects well on over 10 years of diligent effort and best practice in delivering and improving the services for the community of Gunnedah,” Acting Director of Infrastructure Services Edward Paas said.

Sam Samra was a NSW Government public servant, working in the water industry for 50 years before he retired in July 2016. Sam was killed in a tragic accident just two weeks later.

Photo caption: Manager Water Services Kevin Sheridan and Acting Director Infrastructure Services Edward Paas with the awards.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.