Australian HR Awards 2024

Double Win for City of Parramatta at 2024 Australian HR Awards

The City of Parramatta has been recognised as a national leader in workplace excellence, taking home two major awards at the 2024 Australian HR Awards in Sydney.

Council’s innovative People Connect HR systems transformation won Best Use of Technology, while its 2023 Health and Wellbeing Action Plan was awarded Best Health and Wellbeing Program—highlighting the City’s people-first approach to employee experience.

Chief Executive Officer Gail Connolly PSM praised the People & Culture team for their dedication:

“We’re committed to being an employer of choice—creating a safe, positive, and purpose-led work environment where our people can thrive. These awards are a testament to the hard work of our teams and their focus on delivering for our community.”

Transforming the Employee Experience

The People Connect project involved a complete overhaul of Council’s HR systems, transitioning to a cloud-based platform that simplifies hiring, development, and performance management. Since its launch, nearly two-thirds of staff have found the platform easy to use for a wide range of people-related activities.

The 2023 Health and Wellbeing Action Plan combined traditional support with innovative new programs to prioritise mental, physical, and social wellbeing. These initiatives have contributed to a significant drop in staff turnover—from 18% to 12%, well below the local government average of 15%.

“These programs foster collaboration and long-term wellbeing,” said Ms Connolly. “We’re seeing the benefits in staff retention and the positive culture they help create.”

A Growing Track Record of Excellence

This year’s success follows two wins at the 2023 Australian HR Awards, where Council was recognised for Best Diversity & Inclusion Program. The People Connect project also won at the NSW Local Government Professionals Excellence Awards earlier this year.