Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Declaration on the Role of Australian Local Government

We elected members of Australian Local Governments gathered at the 1997 National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra on 24 November 1997; recalling the Worldwide Declaration of Local Self-Government renewed by the International Union of Local Authorities in Toronto in June 1993; now proclaim the following Declaration on the Role of Local Government as a standard to which all Australian governments should aspire in their efforts to achieve a more effective democratic process and secure the environmental, social and economic wellbeing of their constituents.

Fundamental Principles

Local Governments are elected to represent their local communities; to be a responsible and accountable sphere of democratic governance; to be a focus for community identity and civic spirit; to provide appropriate services to meet community needs in an efficient and effective manner; and to facilitate and coordinate local efforts and resources in pursuit of community goals.

To these ends, the principle of elected Local Government must be enshrined in the Australian Constitution and the Constitutions of each State and the Northern Territory.

Roles and Responsibilities

Australian Local Government:

• must be a Partner in the Federal System
• will be Responsive and Accountable to the Local Community
• will provide Good Local Governance
• must exercise Local Autonomy
• will provide Leadership and Advocacy
• will Promote Active Citizenship at the Local Level
• will foster Local Identity and Civic Pride
• will secure Community Cohesion
• will ensure Local Service Delivery
• will facilitate Community Development
• will foster Regional Cooperation
• will Adapt to Change

The above is an abridged version. The roles and responsibilities are spelt out in greater detail in the Declaration. Copies of the Declaration, as passed at the Assembly, are available from the ALGA.

The following articles are also included in this edition or go BACK to the main page: