About Us  > Council Responsibilities

Council Responsibilities

What the Council Does

The Council does a lot in the community. These can include:

• parks, gardens and recreational areas and the carrying out of landscaping and other associated works

• sports facilities, swimming pools, libraries and museums, cinemas, community halls, public toilets and ablution blocks

• collection and disposal of garbage, the control of litter generally, the provision and maintenance of sanitation, sewerage, drainage and water supply facilities and the removal of health hazards

• collection, as an agent and for reward, of electricity, water and sewerage charges

• receipt of money, grants or gifts of property paid or made to the council

• provision of adult education and vocational and other training

• housing for residents and their families on such terms and conditions as the council thinks fit

• management of community employment programs

• community welfare, health and care facilities for all age groups

• prevention and control of substance abuse

• provision and maintenance of cemeteries

• control or prohibition of animals

• development and maintenance of roads within the community government area and, for reward, the development and maintenance of roads outside the community government area

• provision and maintenance of airstrips and related facilities

• hiring out, for reward, of any vehicle, plant, appliance or equipment belonging to the council

• contracting of works projects

• establishment and operation of pastoral and commercial enterprises

• maintenance of a fire fighting service

• development of tourist attractions and the production and selling of artefacts and souvenirs

• management and control of sites of historic interest

• support and encouragement of artistic, cultural and sporting activities

To do this the Council may need money, so each year they may set the rates. Rates are an amount that each house, farm and business must pay to the Council each year.

This money helps the Council to pay for supplying the services.