Award win the icing on Eat Local Month's15th birthday cake
Published on 04 June 2026
Scenic Rim Regional Council's award for Excellence in Collaboration for the Eat Local Movement has been the icing on the cake as Eat Local Month celebrates its 15th birthday in June.
The award, presented by the Local Government Managers Australia, recognises the Eat Local Movement as one of Queensland's leading local government initiatives and is particularly significant as Council's submission was judged against 22 entries in the Excellence in Collaboration category from 15 other councils - Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Redland City, Moreton Bay, Mackay, Douglas Shire, Balonne, Central Highlands, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Isaac.
Mayor Tom Sharp said the award was a tribute to the collaboration between Council and the many producers, farmers, brewers, distillers, wine makers, restaurants and cafes behind the Eat Local Movement over the past 15 years, which has won a string of awards as well as national and international recognition for the Scenic Rim.
"Our region's Eat Local Movement has evolved from a unique collaboration between Council, our community and agribusinesses in a mix of tourism products, experiences and events showcasing our region as Queensland’s most authentic food tourism destination," he said.
The first Scenic Rim Eat Local Week, a program of just 10 events, was launched by Council and the community to boost sales of seasonal produce and was stepped up following the floods to support the region's agricultural and tourism sectors.
In 2023, the success of Scenic Rim Eat Local Week saw the event extended to become a month-long celebration of the region and its farmers, growers, producers, artisans, chefs and quality food and beverages.
It is now a smorgasbord of more than 120 events across the Scenic Rim, with a focus on authentic paddock-to-plate food and farming experiences, culminating in the Winter Harvest Festival at Kalbar on Saturday 27 June.
The Local Government Managers Australia award follows the Scenic Rim's Gold Award for Excellence in Food Tourism for the Eat Local Movement at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Awards and, in the same category, a Silver Award in 2022 and Bronze Awards in 2023 and 2024.
"The Eat Local Movement is a testament to the vision and dedication of the many producers, farmers, brewers, distillers, wine makers, restaurants and cafes, which has not only won a string of awards but also national and international recognition for the region,." Cr Sharp said.
"The recent win of Gold in Excellence in Food Tourism at the Queensland Tourism Awards is another shining example of what can be achieved when a local community comes together to connect visitors to food, culture and country fostering year-round, educational, immersive and DIY experiences."
Attached image: Scenic Rim Regional Council CEO David Keenan accepts the LGMA award from Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers Acting Executive Director Strategy and Service Delivery Kristy Nau.