Christchurch City Council has landed a winning double at the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) annual awards in Auckland.

The Council has won the McGredy Winder SOLGM Local Government Excellence Awards GHD Advisory Award for Innovation in Asset and Infrastructure Management for its innovative EQRNet project(external link) – a network of 150 sensors designed to collect and report information on localised ground shaking in an earthquake.

Council Head of Strategic Policy Emma Davis has also been awarded an Overseas Manager Exchange at the gala event on Thursday night.

Council Strategy and Transformation General Manager Brendan Anstiss says both the award and the exchange recognise the Council’s commitment to innovation and supporting talented staff.

“Both the EQRNet project – led by Teresa McCallum – and the high-level leadership of Emma Davis demonstrate the range of skills within the Council, coupled with an innovative approach,” he says.

“We are very pleased that those talents and a major project with far-reaching benefits have been recognised at a national level.”

Developed under the Council’s Smart Cities(external link) group, EQRNet enables the Council to manage its earthquake response to safeguard communities and assets, in real time.

SOLGM chief advisor Raymond Horan says that the importance of good information and good governance cannot be underestimated.

“The judges were impressed with the combination of good science, good infrastructure and the smart application of digital technology and building information in a tool that will support regulation and civil response.

“This innovation will mean a faster earthquake response where different ground movement means that not all areas or buildings will be impacted equally.”

Ms Davis has been awarded an exchange to the United States, with a focus on leadership and development designed for the local government environment.

The judges say that Ms Davis has much to share, particularly in the areas of regeneration and resilience in Christchurch.

SOLGM Leadership Programmes Manager Fiona Purchas says Ms Davis has a “strong interest in well-being, diversity and leadership development, and in her new role – climate change strategy development”.

• The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board has won the 2019 Best Practice Award for Engaging with Your Community at the New Zealand Community Boards Conference in New Plymouth.