Local Government Law & Lawyers

Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state. Basically, Local Government is a form of government in which responsibility for the regulation of certain matters within particular localities (local government areas) is delegated by statute to locally elected councillors who work for your local Council.

There are various Local Government Acts in each state and territory within Australia.

If you need legal help regarding any aspect of local government law including any issue you may have with local council, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the right, or click here.

Generally speaking, the services provided by lawyers practising in the area of local government law include all matters and issues with local Council and local government including:

• Planning, development approvals and development applications (DA's)
• Site Appraisals (Development Potential)
• Applications & Appeals
• Obligations/Agreements
• Objections to Applications & Appeals
• Judicial Reviews
• Enforcement/Prosecution
• Certificates of Lawful Development
• Advertising
• Listed Buildings
• Trees & High Hedges 
• Boundary Disputes & Trespass
• Adverse Possession
• Covenants, Easements & Rights of Way
• Right to Light
• Party Walls
• Village Greens & Common Land
• Enforcement Investigations
• Drafting Planning Notices
• standards complaints and investigations;
• monitoring officer support;
• attendance at committees;
• social housing;
• homelessness;
• education law;
• planning;
• highways;
• rights of way;
• traffic regulation orders;
• compulsory purchase, compulsory acquisition;
• regeneration;
• construction;
• child care;
• contracts;
• state aid;
• projects;
• partnering and joint working;
• procurement;
• commercial property;
• charities;
• private bills;
• licensing;
• environmental health;
• employment;
• debt recovery;
• training for elected members and officers;and
• data protection and freedom of information.

If you need legal help regarding any aspect of local government law, please complete your free legal enquiry form on the right, or click here.

Local government roles and responsibilities Constitutional responsibility for local government lies with the state and territory governments. Consequently, the roles and responsibilities of local government differ from state to state. Functions include:

• infrastructure and property services, including local roads, bridges, footpaths, drainage, waste collection and management
• provision of recreation facilities, such as parks, sports fields and stadiums, golf courses, swimming pools, sport centres, halls, camping grounds and caravan parks
• health services such as water and food inspection, immunisation services, toilet facilities, noise control and meat inspection and animal control
• community services, such as child care, aged care and accommodation, community care and welfare services
• building services, including inspections, licensing, certification and enforcement
• planning and development approval
• administration of facilities, such as airports and aerodromes, ports and marinas, cemeteries, parking facilities and street parking;
• cultural facilities and services, such as libraries, art galleries and museums
• water and sewerage services in some states
• other services, such as abattoirs, sale-yards and group purchasing schemes

Local government revenue comes from three main sources - taxation (rates), user charges and grants from Federal and state/territory governments. A fourth source, categorised as 'miscellaneous' by the ABS, consists of revenue raised through the likes of investment interest, dividend interest, income from public enterprise and fines.

If you need legal help regarding any aspect of local government law including any issue you may have with local council, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the right, or click here.

Links to Further Resources - Local Government Law & Lawyers