Local Government in your Community

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COUNCIL STRUCTURE

Principal Member (Mayor or Chairperson) Councillors (from 6 – 21 depending on size/population of Council) Some Councils are divided into wards Elections every 4 years Elected Council only exercises power as group CEO responsible for staff

MAYOR / CHAIRPERSON

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The Council’s “first citizen”

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Councils have either a Mayor or Chairperson

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Mayor - Elected by all voters Chairperson – Elected by Councillors

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Attends many functions on behalf of the Council

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Services are voluntary not paid

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Takes control of Council meetings

COUNCILLORS

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Councillors represent all people in the Council (and those in their ward)

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Are elected either by all voters or those in their ward

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Vote at Council Meetings on policy, rules and big issues

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Provide leadership and reflect views of the communities they serve

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Councillors are volunteers - not paid

COUNCIL MEETINGS

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Held at least once every month

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Elected members are required to attend

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The public can attend Council meetings

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Council meetings are where issues are discussed and decisions made

COUNCIL (elected members)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Human Services

•Recreation •Community Services •Cultural Development •Research

Environmental Service s

•Planning •Building/Health •Operations •Property & Technical Services

Corporate Services

•Technology •Information Management •Public Relations •Human Resources

City Management

•Project Management •Mayoral Functions

ROLE OF ADMINISTRATION

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Serve the public

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Implement Council’s policies and act on decisions

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Provide roads, footpaths, street cleaning and lighting, rubbish & recycling collection, health and building control

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

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Playgrounds

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Holiday programs

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Libraries

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Recreation centres, sporting grounds and swimming pools

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Roads & footpaths

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Immunisation

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Recycling services

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Environmental management

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Tourism information

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Youth programs

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Home assistance for aged and disabled

IF THERE WAS NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

...There would be less money for many services

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Such as your local library Less books and magazines, computer and internet services?”

IF THERE WAS NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

...There would be no Parks FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY IN

IF THERE WAS NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Cockroaches could be in your food” ...There would be NO FOOD STANDARD INSPECTIONS

IF THERE WAS NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

...There would be NO DOG CONTROL

COMMUNITY ISSUES

Councils are concerned with what is happening in their community. This means taking an interest in:

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public transport

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development

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schools

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environment

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main roads

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hospitals

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safety and security

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Aboriginal affairs Councils work closely with State and Federal Governments.

EVERY COUNCIL IS DIFFERENT

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Its community may be young or old

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The area may be new or well-established

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It may be an urban (city) or rural (country) Council

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The population may be less than 1000 or more than 100,000

DIFFERENCES MEAN

...

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A developing Council may need to spend a large amount of their funds on new roads and services.

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More established Councils may be able to provide more community-orientated services.

HELPING THE COMMUNITY

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Councils are important in assisting the activities of community groups in the area

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Councils sometimes help with:

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funding

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providing facilities

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training

PLAYING YOUR PART

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Contact your Council to find out what’s happening in your area If you would like to see different activities in your area, let Council know Inform Council whether their programs suit your needs Report any graffiti or vandalism to the police, this costs your family and community thousands of dollars Communities can work with their Council to influence what happens in their area

ELECTIONS

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Held by postal vote every four years in November

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Voting is not compulsory (unlike State and Federal government elections)

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A contest only occurs if there are more nominations received than vacancies available

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During their term elected members will make important decisions about your area

ELECTIONS

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People over the age of 18 can vote

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Voting is important because elected members decide the future of the area and the services that will be provided

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Candidates will often have different views on what is best for the area