Gunnedah wins Inaugural Sam Samra Award

Congratulations to Gunnedah Shire Council, overall winner of the inaugural Sam Samra Awards. The Awards acknowledge the Local Water Utilities that have made the greatest improvement in performance over a ten-year period. They were presented jointly by the Water Directorate, DPI Water and LGNSW at the LGNSW Water Management Conference at the Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, on 5 September.

“It’s an honour to be recognised, especially with the inaugural Sam Samra Award,” Gunnedah’s 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,” he said.

Kevin believes that low residential bills, ERRR, compliance, recycling, debt and management costs – combined with 100 percent best practice management – all contributed to Gunnedah’s success.

Gunnedah’s Acting Director of Infrastructure Services Edward Paas comments: “The recognition of Kevin and his team being selected for two of these awards across all councils in NSW reflects well on over ten years of diligent effort and best practice in delivering and improving the services for the community of Gunnedah.”

Congratulations also to the eight finalists in the inaugural Sam Samra Awards:

• Most Improved Small Water Supply Service Provider (LWU with less than 5,000 connected properties)
  Runner-up Carrathool Shire Council
  Winner Coonamble Shire Council
• Most Improved Large Water Supply Service Provider (LWU with more than 5,000 connected properties)
  Runner-up Orange City Council
  Winner Kempsey Shire Council
• Most Improved Small Sewerage Service Provider (LWU with less than 5,000 connected properties)
  Runner-up Upper Lachlan Shire Council
  Winner Gunnedah Shire Council
• Most Improved Large Sewerage Service Provider (LWU with more than 5,000 connected properties)
  Runner-up Federation Council
  Winner Wagga Wagga City Council
  
  The Awards are named for Sam Samra, in acknowledgement of his long-term commitment, passion and dedication to the water industry.