The Employer of Choice Award highlights good employment practices within NSW local government. This includes those that help build engineering capacity within the industry by attracting and retaining engineers and other technical professionals within councils.

It also identifies and rewards organisations that have developed good relationships with the LGEA, providing support to its local workplace representatives.

Council’s General Manager Wayne Wallis said the relationship between Council and the LGEA was an important one.

“We have always enjoyed an open and transparent relationship with the LGEA which has been built on trust, dignity and respect to resolve issues in the best interests of not only our engineers, but all our staff,” he said

“Port Stephens Council is committed to being an employer of choice and we’re continually developing strategies to enhance working conditions for our staff.”

According to Mr Wallis, a rewarding workplace isn’t all about money.

“Our award-winning Enterprise Agreement recognises and rewards the whole person — it doesn’t just focus on money.

“We offer the broadest range of flexible work practices in NSW local government including career break, grandparent’s leave, carer’s leave, maternity and paternity leave, part-time, job share, 4 day weeks, 9 day fortnights, flexitime and Rostered Days Off — just to name a few!

“These benefits are complemented by a market-based remuneration system. We walk the talk when it comes to work-life balance at Port Stephens Council,” Mr Wallis said.

In its 100th year, the LGEA has been awarding this recognition for the past 5 years.