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Functions of LGU

Local government in Australia has a broad function to ensure the "peace, order and good governance" of their municipalities under the Local Government Act 1989. Each council determines independently what activities are needed to fulfill this function based on collective beliefs, advice, financial considerations, and legislative powers. Councils achieve their goals through long-term planning, delivery of services, making and enforcing local laws, developing policies, representing constituents, and advocating on behalf of their communities to other levels of government.

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Celina Lee
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585 views

Functions of LGU

Local government in Australia has a broad function to ensure the "peace, order and good governance" of their municipalities under the Local Government Act 1989. Each council determines independently what activities are needed to fulfill this function based on collective beliefs, advice, financial considerations, and legislative powers. Councils achieve their goals through long-term planning, delivery of services, making and enforcing local laws, developing policies, representing constituents, and advocating on behalf of their communities to other levels of government.

Uploaded by

Celina Lee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Under the Local Government Act 1989, the function of local government is very broad. Section 1
of the Act and Section 3A of the Act state that local government’s purpose is ‘…the peace,
order and good governance…’ of their municipal district.

In practice, this means that individual councils can determine what they need to do to
ensure “…the peace, order and good governance…” of their municipalities. Essentially
each council makes its own decisions based on its collective beliefs, the advice it receives,
various financial considerations, legislative powers and so on.

If a council restricts its activities to ‘roads, rates and rubbish’ and its various statutory obligations,
it’s the result of a series of political decisions rather than a legal determination which is based on
the Act. And whatever decisions a council makes in this regard are ultimately reflected in the
Council Plan and other key strategic documents.

WHAT DOES LOCAL GOVERNMENT DO?

Councils achieve their goals and fulfil their functions in various ways:

Planning & monitoring

Local governments set the overall direction for their municipalities through long-term
planning. Examples include council plans, financial plans, municipal strategic
statements and other strategic plans. Setting the vision, and then ensuring that it is achieved, is
one of the most important roles of local government.

Service delivery

Local government is responsible for managing and delivering a range of quality services to
their communities, such as public health and recreational facilities, local road maintenance, and
public libraries.

Lawmaking & enforcement

Local governments legislate and make decisions in areas over which they have
legislative authority. Local laws are not allowed to replicate or be inconsistent with state and
federal laws or the operative planning scheme.

The laws made by local governments are called local laws and cover issues such as the
activities permitted on public land, animal management, and use of infrastructure.
Local governments are also responsible for enforcing local laws and other legislation over
which they have authority.

Policy development

The activities of local governments are guided by policies. Developing and implementing
these policies are key functions.

Representation

Councils often represent their local community on matters of concern to those constituents.

Advocacy

Local governments have a role in advocating on behalf of their constituencies to state and federal
levels of government, statutory authorities and other sectors.

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