How councils work
A council is a democratically elected body that provides local government for a specific geographic area within a State. Local councils comprise a third tier of government, in addition to Federal and State governments, and are generally regarded as closest to the people.
A council exercises a wide range of government functions and powers for the “peace, order and good government” of its municipal district. There are 79 local councils in Victoria. Each has between 5 and 12 elected councillors as well as council staff who implement council decisions and provide services.
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How councils operate
Each council comprises the elected council that meets on a regular basis to make decisions that are in the interests of their community, plus the administrative organisation that delivers services and ensures that council decisions are implemented.
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About councillors
Since 2008, all councillors are elected for a four-year term, following elections in all municipalities on the last Saturday in November. They receive an allowance to assist them to exercise their responsibilities on a part time basis and are expected to behave in accordance with the council’s code of conduct.
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Council administration and staff
Council administrations comprise a Chief Executive Officer and the staff employed and managed by the Chief Executive Officer.
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The system of government
Local government is considered to be a separate tier of government. A local government is similar to a Federal or State government in many ways, except that it performs government activities relevant to a smaller, “local” area.
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The legal basis
In Victoria, councils are established and operate under various State Government laws, including the Constitution Act 1975 and the Local Government Act 1989.