The City of Melville was on Monday, 12 October 2009 named as the Gold winner in the Whole of City (75,001 to 200,000) category out of 11 finalists. It was also recognised for outstanding achievement in the Community Sustainability category – receiving the Community Sustainability award across all population categories, ahead of 46 finalists from 18 countries.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the world now knew what many in the organisation and the community had said for years. "Melville is among the very best cities in the world and it was proven when the City came first in its category in the Liveable Communities Awards," he said. "This award pays tribute to the outstanding work done by Elected Members and staff over recent years and confirms the sound decision-making processes, strategies and practices currently in play."

"We believe our community will be proud of this award and the recognition it will create. The award will bring local, national and international attention to our wonderful City and the work that we all do to make Melville a great place to live, work and enjoy," he said.

Chief Executive Officer Dr Shayne Silcox said the awards were accepted on behalf of all staff who had consistently and with dedication undertaken their roles in delivering a world-class community.

The judging panel was impressed with the way the City had moved from measuring community satisfaction to measuring well-being. The panel also recognised the City's community engagement framework, community and neighbourhood planning processes, the comprehensive range of more than 200 products and services, the focus on community safety and crime prevention, and volunteering.

The City of Melville was one of only two Australian finalists in its population category for the 2009 International Liveable Communities Awards (LivCom), which were launched in 1997 and are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme. LivCom is the world’s only awards competition focusing on best practice regarding the management of the local environment.

Mayor Aubrey said the objective of LivCom was to improve the quality of life of individual citizens through the creation of 'liveable communities' and encourage best practice, learning and sharing of successful practice from around the world, innovation and leadership in providing a vibrant, environmentally-sustainable community. "There are far-reaching benefits involved for the wider community including: testing our offerings against world's best practice; increasing the desirability and attractiveness of our city; enhanced civic pride by being one of the 'leading communities in the world'; an increased international profile for our community; the chance to promote the facilities and services of the City; and the opportunity to enhance national and international publicity," he said.

-Please see the official website www.livcomawards.com/index.htm and official media release announcing the results at www.livcomawards.com/media-2009/press-releases/LivCom%2009%20Awards%20Results%20121009.doc