Councils - Role and Function

Local Government - Background

Local Government has been an important part of community decision making since the earliest days of settlement. The first Local Government was formed in 1840 with the election of four Aldermen and fifteen Councillors to the new Adelaide Corporation.

So long as the central government continued to build railways and major roads, settlers moving into more remote parts of South Australia were less motivated to form Councils.

As a result, the South Australian Government passed the 1887 District Councils Act, which empowered it to form Councils without waiting for residents to take the initiative.

Local Government Legislation - 1999

The Local Government Act 1999 and the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999 were passed following a comprehensive review of the 1934 Local Government Act. These Acts provide the framework in which Councils currently operate.

Councils in South Australia

In South Australia there are 68 Councils created under the 1999 Local Government Act 1999, 5 outback Aboriginal communities and the Outback Areas Community Development Trust. A map and Information aboiut these bodies can be found on the Website of the Local Government Association of South Australia.

Role, Functions and Objectives of a Council

Councils in South Australian participate in the provision of important social and economic infrastructure and, where appropriate, act as advocates, planners and coordinators and facilitators.

Sections 6, 7 and 8 of the Local Government Act 1999 set out the role, functions and objectives of a Council , which, in summary, are to :

  • make specific reference to the importance of service provision, equity in access to services and the use of resources in an effective and efficient manner;
  • provide scope for Councils to determine the the level of participation, involvement or direct service delivery desirable for local communities;
  • place emphasis on economic and social development and environmental management;
  • encourage participation with other Councils, regions and State and Commonwealth Governments in public policy setting and planning and delivery of services; and
  • require Councils to strike a balance within communities between economic, social, environmental and cultural consideration.

For further information, visit the Office of Local Government's website How Councils Work - A Guide to the Rules

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Regional Council of Goyder - Structure

Council

The Councillors, as a body, are responsible for indentifying community needs, setting policy and objectives to meet those needs, and establishing priorities based on competing demands and available resources.

Decisions are made at the full Council meetings, and may be based on recommendations from the Council Committees, which are established to consider the various aspects of Council's range of responsibilities.

Chief Executive Officer

It is the responsibility of the CEO, together with the Council Staff, to 'translate' the Council's policy framework and strategic plans into an ongoing program of activities for the management and operation of Council's affairs.

Staff

Council's staff, while working as a team, is divided into two areas - Administration and Technical Services. Basically, the Administration staff manage the 'inside' activities and the Technical Services staff are responsible for the 'outside' work.

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