09 November 2007
The eleventh annual Premier’s Public Sector Awards were held on Friday afternoon, 9 November 2007. The Awards formally recognise and reward achievements of excellence by the New South Wales public sector.
With 118 nominations received from a wide cross-section of agencies for the 2007 Awards, the public sector responded positively to the opportunity to showcase progress and achievements against the State Plan priorities and allied sector-wide plans, as well as initiatives which are not specifically mentioned in plans but are essential responsibilities of Government.
Housing NSW was nominated for eight initiatives and won three awards for its Response to the Hunter and Central Coast Storm Disaster, Maintenance Customer Call Back Service, and the Young People Leaving Out-of-Home Care program.
The award for Response to the Hunter and Central Coast Storm Disaster was accepted by Housing NSW’s Director General, Mike Allen.
Over 2255 Department properties were damaged during the violent weather of the June 2007 long weekend. Housing NSW worked quickly, efficiently and effectively with over 60 different organisations to mobilise resources and bring comfort and aid to those affected. This showed that the State Plan is working, is being well implemented, and is achieving positive results for the people of New South Wales.
The Department also received a Bronze Award for its Maintenance Customer Call Back Service. 260,000 calls are received each year for urgent maintenance from tenants and in 2006, the Call Back service was introduced in which the Housing Contact Centre calls every tenant to see if the contractor arrived on time, completed the work and behaved appropriately. If contractors are not on time, payment is blocked. Contractor performance has improved and the tenants are delighted.
The initiative of Young People Leaving Out-of-Home Care in the Hunter was commended. The key aim of the Trial, under the Housing and Human Services Accord, is to assist young people leaving out-of-home care to make a successful transition to independent living through the provision of housing and support that meets their needs.
The Trial also aims to improve inter-agency coordination of social housing and support services. It focuses on fast tracking allocation to public housing with support for the client via formal agreements with Department of Community Services and other support providers.
These initiatives have produced measurable outcomes with proven results and benefits to New South Wales. They have also given the Department an opportunity to showcase our commitment to quality and the provision of service to the community and also facilitate information exchange about leading practice in the public sector.
Our nominated, and award winning initiatives in the 2007 Award categories were:
State Plan
- Response to the Hunter and Central Coast Storm Disaster (Winner)
Respect, Rights and Responsibility
- Bonnyrigg Community Engagement Strategy
Delivering Better Services
Maintenance Customer Call Back Service (Bronze)
Keeping Touch with the Over 60s
Housing NSW Youth Scholarships and Achievement Awards
Fairness and Opportunity
- Housing NSW / TAFE Partnership to deliver adaptable housing
- Environment for Living
- NSW Local Government Housing Kit
Delivering the Plan
- Project Management Framework: from Shifting Buildings to Shifting Behaviour
Delivering Locally
- Young People Leaving Out-of-Home Care in the Hunter (Commended)
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