What is a local government? What is it responsible for?
Source: Parliamentary Education Office
Local Governments consist of two groups who serve the needs of their local community: elected members who serve a four-year term and staff who work for the council. Elected members are usually called councilors, while the chair or head of the council is usually called the mayor.
These smaller legislative bodies make by-laws about local matters and provide services. For example, councils are responsible for:
- local roads, footpaths, cycleways, street signage and lighting
- waste management, including rubbish collection and recycling
- parking
- recreational facilities such as parks, sports fields and swimming pools
- cultural facilities, including libraries, art galleries and museums
- services such as childcare, aged care and youth services
- sewerage
- town planning
- building approvals and inspections
- land and coast care programs
- pet control.
Councils can deliver services adapted to the needs of the community they serve. For instance, the needs of residents in inner-city Sydney might be different to those of people living in rural or remote areas. By providing these services and facilities, councils make sure local communities work well from day-to-day.
Young people can benefit from a variety of council facilities and services including parks and playgrounds, libraries, community halls, youth centres, playing fields, skate parks, leisure centres, entertainment centres, art galleries, patrolled beaches, and festivals and events. Particularly in some regional and rural areas, councils are the only providers of these services.
Visit the Local Government NSW website to learn more about what councils provide for young people in their communities.
The law-making powers of local government
How do I find out which council covers my local government area?
To find out which local council operates in your local government area, enter your address into this tool on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website: Office of Local Government Find Your Local Council. Your local council website should list a detailed map you can use to find out which ward you live in. Visit this page at LGNSW to access your local council’s website.
How do I find out about the candidates running in my area in the upcoming local government elections?
You can visit the NSW Electoral Commission’s webpage for the 2024 NSW Local Government elections and select ‘Who are the candidates?’ You will just need to select your local council, and then the ward that you live in. You can then search for more information about the candidates running in your ward.
Where do I find general information about where and how to vote?
See here for the NSW Electoral Commission webpage on the 2024 Local Government elections for information about the election, the key dates and where to vote. You can find all in-person voting locations here and the different ways to vote here.
The NSW Electoral Commission also has a voter FAQ page with more information about voting, understanding the voting process and other questions you might have.
How do I fill in the ballot paper?
The ballot you receive when you go to cast your vote will contain ‘DIRECTIONS FOR VOTING’ at the top. Directions will be slightly different depending on where you live, as there will be different numbers of candidates. The ballot will tell you how many numbers to place in how many squares.
Your first preference is indicated by placing a ‘1’ in the square next to the candidate of your choice, your second preference a ‘2’, your third preference a ‘3’, and so on.
For more information about what the ballot might look like and how filling in your ballot paper works, you can visit the NSW Electoral Commission webpage on How to cast your vote in a local government election.
Resources
Local Government Area Boundaries and Mapping Information – Office of Local Government NSW
Local Government Elections – Office of Local Government NSW
Three levels of government: governing Australia – Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Levels of Government in Australia (nsw.gov.au)
The responsibilities of the three levels of government – Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)