Geelong region organisations recognised for collaboration and innovation in public sector leadership awards

Last Thursday night, the Geelong region took centre stage at the Institute for Public Administration Australia’s (IPAA) leadership awards which recognise innovation, inspiration and impact across the public sector.

The Geelong Regional Climate Adaptation Partnership took out the Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Award for its regional, collaborative approach to mitigating climate change and creating positive outcomes for the community, the environment, the economy and the region.

Judges valued the collaboration across multiple agencies, which was at the centre of the award nomination. Three initiatives were highlighted in the nomination, demonstrating the leadership on climate change across the G21 region.

The first initiative was the Barwon Renewable Energy Partnership of Barwon Water, Barwon Health and GeelongPort, collectively taking steps to achieve 100% renewable electricity and zero emissions through a joint power purchase agreement with a Mount Gellibrand wind farm.

The second initiative was the Colac Renewable Organics Network involving Barwon Water, Colac Otway Shire, Bulla Dairy Foods and Australian Lamb Company, converting organic waste at the Colac water reclamation plant to renewable electricity (and soon, a hot-water network).

The third initiative is the Regional Renewable Organics Network (RRON), which sees Barwon Water join forces with local councils – Borough of Queenscliffe, City of Greater Geelong, Golden Plains Shire and Surf Coast Shire – to divert organic waste from landfill and transform it into high value carbon products for sustainable agriculture and manufacturing, while generating renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and creating jobs. The RRON is scheduled to be online by late 2025. All three initiatives help save money and keep downward pressure on Barwon Water customers bills.

The nomination also included G21 Geelong Region Alliance which, since 2003, has provided a forum for local and state government, business, and community leaders to collaborate on the issues and priorities of the region. Membership has fostered close relationships between agencies and driven collaborative ways of working, creating the environment for these innovative partnerships to develop.

Chair of Barwon Water, Jo Plummer, said the prestigious award recognised the significant level of cooperation and partnership on regional priorities.

“We are pleased for our partners who have shown great teamwork across all of these projects. We are thrilled with what we have been able to achieve as a collective, making the most of the opportunities presented by the challenges we all face. We hope that the work of Barwon Water and our partners might serve as a case study for those looking to work together to tackle climate change and other serious challenges,” Ms Plummer said.

The award was accepted, on behalf of all partners, by Barwon Water’s Interim Managing Director Shaun Cumming, Barwon Health CEO Frances Diver, Surf Coast Shire CEO Robyn Seymour, Colac Otway Shire CEO Anne Howard, Golden Plains Shire CEO Eric Braslis and Borough of Queensliffe CEO Martin Gill.

Frances Diver said the award highlighted the positive impact traditionally large-emitting industries could achieve, particularly using collective purchasing power.

“At Barwon Health, we are conscious of the link between the health of the environment and the wellbeing of our community, and we’re proud to be playing our part in combatting climate change. Award recognition means that other organisations can learn what we did and adopt parts of our approach,” Ms Diver said.

Colac Otway Shire CEO Anne Howard said the Colac project recognised in the award was a terrific example of public sector organisations partnering in a practical way with regional businesses.

“This is an innovative project that will assist these businesses achieve their goals and we are proud to have played our part,” Ms Howard said.

Chief executive officers from the councils involved in the RRON were similarly thrilled to be recognised by the IPAA with Martin Gill, CEO of the Borough of Queenscliffe saying:

“We’re facing the same challenges in transitioning to a cleaner, circular economy where sending rubbish to landfill is increasingly problematic. It makes sense for councils to partner with Barwon Water on this solution and I’m delighted that we’ve been recognised for the initiative,” Mr Gill said.

Surf Coast Shire Council CEO Robyn Seymour was also enthusiastic about the win.

“This award is an excellent acknowledgement of the collaborative work we’re doing to create local circular economy solutions in the region. We’re already diverting our food and organics from landfill to provide quality compost for agriculture and through RRON, we’ll be helping to keep this valuable material local,” Ms Seymour said.

Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) CEO Eric Braslis said he was eagerly anticipating the RRON coming online after signing waste agreements with Barwon Water last year to enable GPSC to introduce a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service.

“At the heart of our waste strategy is a commitment to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill. As a regional council, this can be challenging so the ability to partner with other councils and Barwon Water has been a core part of our plans. I hope the award inspires other regional councils to look at collaboration as a way forward,” Mr Braslis said.

Acting City of Greater Geelong Council CEO David Greaves said that the City was pleased that the RRON and the other partnerships mentioned in the nomination had been successful at the awards ceremony.

“We adopted our Sustainability Framework in 2020 with ambitious targets that focus on the best outcomes for the community, the environment and the economy. I’m pleased that the City has been a partner to this award recognition.”

Giulia Baggio, CEO Of G21 Geelong Region Alliance, said she felt very proud that the collaborative approach taken within the region had been recognised by IPAA judges.

“Collaboration underpins our purpose at G21 and I’m thrilled that the networks and conversations that we support have helped to establish impactful partnerships,” Ms Baggio said.

The IPAA awards are held annually, and Chair of Barwon Water Jo Plummer thanked the IPAA for hosting the awards and congratulated winners of awards in other categories.

“The public sector is full of committed, passionate people who are working hard for the community they serve. It is wonderful to see recognition for the work that they do across a huge number of areas like roads, health, emergency services, water, aged care and more,” Ms Plummer said.

Pictured above: L to R, Shaun Cumming, Interim Managing Director Barwon Water, Frances Diver, CEO Barwon Health, Anne Howard, CEO Colac Otway Shire, Martin Gill, CEO Borough of Queenscliff, Robyn Seymour, CEO Surf Coast Shire and Eric Baslis, CEO Golden Plains Shire.