Local government is provided for in the Constitution Act 1902 No. 32. Councils are responsible for their local areas which vary greatly in size and character and can consist of a group of suburbs, a town or a rural area. The Local Government Act 1993 No. 30 and associated regulations provide the legal framework under which local government operates. A council's charter is included to guide councils in carrying out their functions.

The NSW Department of Local Government (DLG) monitors financial efficiency and performance and facilitates activities between councils and the state government. Councils receive part of their income as grants from state/federal governments and raise their own revenue from rates and charges.

Each council has a charter that sets out principles to guide the way it provides appropriate community services and facilities. These include:

• household garbage and recycling collections
• local roads, footpaths and gutters
• council housing
• immunisation programs and baby care at early childhood centres
• childcare centres, kindergartens and play centres
• youth activities
• meals on wheels
• activities for older people
• libraries and public halls
• sporting facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts and golf courses
• health inspections of restaurants and shops
• managing public land such as parks and other types of recreation areas
• regulating public space, e.g. alcohol-free zones
• promoting local and regional tourism and economic development opportunities.

Voting at local government elections enables citizens to choose who they want to represent them in their council. Citizens may consider nominating to stand for election as a councillor.

The DLG publication  Becoming a Councillor provides information for people considering standing for election. It gives an overview of local government in NSW and outlines what a councillor's role is.

Becoming a Councillor
(PDF)[588.0 kb]

After each local government election, the DLG surveys all councils. A report on the findings provides information about the representation of the community on local councils. As well as describing the characteristics of councillors and candidates such as gender, age and experience, the report identifies trends over time.

Candidates and Councillors 2004
(PDF)[624.0 kb]

Local government elections

The term of a council is four years. Optional preferential voting is used when voting for the mayor, if popularly elected, and two or less councillors in wards. Proportional representation is used when electing three or more councillors.

The Local Government Association of NSW (LGA) and the Shires Association of NSW (SA) are the peak organisations for local government in NSW and councils can be members of either. These associations represent councils by:

• presenting their views to governments
• promoting local government to the community
• providing specialist advice and services.