The Local Government Project of the Year category recognises the completion of a stage of a local government project, or complete project delivery, that has been delivered with demonstrably positive results in the areas of budget, safety, social target and sustainability.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek is a 24-kilometre-long active transport corridor through the Tweed Shire LGA. The repurposing of the railway represented an opportunity to preserve a significant body of local and state heritage that had been deteriorating each year since its decommissioning in 2004. Delivered under a design and construct model, Hazell Bros worked closely with NSW Public Works and Tweed Shire Council to provide a social and economic benefit to residents, businesses and tourists. The project is the first section of the 130-kilometre Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which once complete, will stretch from Murwillumbah to Casino through Tweed, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley. Ensconced in the scenic Tweed Valley, the environmental challenges were great, but the quality of the finished project is a veritable success as attested to by both stakeholders and current users.