LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2008 (NO 12 OF 2008)

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

CHAPTER 1--PRELIMINARY

PART 1.1--SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT

• 1 Short title  
• 2 Commencement  

PART 1.2--INTERPRETATION

• 3 Definitions  
• 4 Associates  

PART 1.3--AGENCY

• 5 Agency  

PART 1.4--ACT TO BIND TERRITORY ETC.

• 6 Act to bind the Territory and other jurisdictions  

CHAPTER 2--SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

PART 2.1--LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

• 7 Local government system  
• 8 Municipalities and shires  

PART 2.2--CONSTITUTIVE POWERS

• 9 Power to establish local government etc.  
• 10 Consequential adjustment of rights and liabilities  

PART 2.3--ROLE, FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF COUNCILS

• 11 Principal role of council  
• 12 Functions of a council  
• 13 Objectives of a council  
• 14 Operations outside area  

CHAPTER 3--PLANNING AT THE REGIONAL AND LOCAL LEVEL

PART 3.1--REGIONAL MANAGEMENT PLANS

• 15 Division of Territory into regions  
• 16 Requirement for, and consultative nature of, regional management plan  
• 17 Content of regional management plan  
• 18 Term, revision and amendment of regional management plans  
• 19 Preparation and revision of regional management plans  
• 20 Agency to report annually on service delivery  
• 21 Public accessibility of regional management plans and related documents  

PART 3.2--MUNICIPAL OR SHIRE PLANS

• 22 Municipal or shire plan  
• 23 Contents of municipal or shire plan  
• 24 Annual review of municipal or shire plan  

CHAPTER 4--COUNCIL AND ITS MEMBERS

PART 4.1--COUNCIL AS A BODY CORPORATE

Division 1--Corporate nature, capacity and powers of council

• 25 Council to be body corporate etc.  
• 26 How council acts in its corporate capacity  

Division 2--Formation of local government subsidiary

• 27 Local government subsidiary  
• 28 Corporate identity and functions of local government subsidiary  
• 29 Constitution of local government subsidiary  
• 30 Reporting obligations  
• 31 Abolition of local government subsidiary  

Division 3--Delegation

• 32 Delegation  

PART 4.2--COUNCIL MEMBERS

Division 1--Composition of council

• 33 Composition of council  
• 34 Vacancy etc. in office of member  

Division 2--Role of members

• 35 Role of members  

Division 3--Terms and conditions of membership

• 36 Eligibility for membership  
• 37 Disqualification  
• 38 Basic term of office  
• 39 Casual vacancies  
• 40 Determination of eligibility for office  
• 41 Immunity from liability  

PART 4.3--PRINCIPAL MEMBER OF COUNCIL

• 42 Mayor or President  
• 43 Role of principal member (and deputy or acting principal member)  
• 44 Election or appointment of principal member  
• 45 Appointment or election of principal member (and deputy)  
• 46 Term of office and casual vacancies  

PART 4.4--COUNCIL OFFICE

• 47 Council office  

CHAPTER 5--LOCAL BOARDS AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES

PART 5.1--LOCAL BOARDS

• 48 Object  
• 49 Establishment of local boards  
• 50 Petition for establishment of local boards  
• 51 Constitution of local boards  
• 52 Functions of local boards  
• 53 Procedure  

PART 5.2--COUNCIL COMMITTEES

• 54 Council committees  
• 55 Nature of committee's functions  
• 56 Control and direction by the council  
• 57 Procedure  

CHAPTER 6--MEETINGS

PART 6.1--COUNCIL MEETINGS

• 58 Nature and timing of council meetings  
• 59 Convening of meetings  
• 60 Business to be considered at a meeting  
• 61 Procedure at meeting  

PART 6.2--MEETINGS OF LOCAL BOARDS AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES

• 62 Timing of meetings of local boards and council committees  
• 63 Convening of meetings  
• 64 Procedure at meeting  

PART 6.3--PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION TO MEETINGS OF COUNCILS, LOCAL BOARDS, AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES

• 65 Meetings to be open to the public  
• 66 Postponement of meeting  
• 67 Minutes  

PART 6.4--MEETINGS OF ELECTORS

• 68 Calling meeting of electors  
• 69 Procedure at meeting  
• 70 Effect of resolution passed at meeting of electors  

CHAPTER 7--RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

PART 7.1--ALLOWANCES AND EXPENSES

• 71 Allowances  
• 72 Expenses  

PART 7.2--CONFLICT OF INTEREST

• 73 Conflict of interest  
• 74 Disclosure of interest  

PART 7.3--CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

• 75 Improper disclosure of information  
• 76 Improper use of information  

PART 7.4--CODE OF CONDUCT

Division 1--Making or adoption of code of conduct

• 77 Obligation to have code of conduct  
• 78 Making or adoption of code of conduct  

Division 2--Disciplinary proceedings

• 79 Complaints of breach of code of conduct  
• 80 Establishment and composition of disciplinary committees  
• 81 Procedure of disciplinary committee  
• 82 Right of appeal  

PART 7.5--REMOVAL FROM OFFICE ON DISCIPLINARY GROUNDS

• 83 Removal of member from office  

CHAPTER 8--ELECTIONS AND POLLS

PART 8.1--GENERAL ELECTIONS

• 84 Minister's power to call general election  
• 85 Periodic general elections  

PART 8.2--BY-ELECTIONS

• 86 By-elections  

PART 8.3--ELECTORS AND ELECTORAL ROLLS

• 87 Entitlement to vote  
• 88 Electoral rolls  

PART 8.4--CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

• 89 Conduct of elections and polls  
• 90 Voting  

PART 8.5--ELECTORAL DISPUTES

• 91 Disputing validity of election or poll  
• 92 Service of application  
• 93 Inquiries by Tribunal  
• 94 Powers of Tribunal  
• 95 Exclusive method of challenge  

PART 8.6--MISCELLANEOUS

• 96 Minister's powers in relation to election  
• 97 Interference with proper conduct of election or poll  
• 98 Secrecy of vote  
• 99 Electoral campaign material  

CHAPTER 9--COUNCIL STAFF

PART 9.1--COUNCIL'S CEO

• 100 CEO  
• 101 Role and functions of CEO  
• 102 Delegation by CEO  

PART 9.2--OTHER STAFF

• 103 Other staff of the council  

PART 9.3--PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

• 104 Principles of human resource management  
• 105 Statement of employment policies  

PART 9.4--STAFF OBLIGATIONS

• 106 Standards to be observed by council staff  
• 107 Conflict of interest  
• 108 Disclosure of confidential information  

PART 9.5--RIGHTS AND IMMUNITIES OF STAFF

• 109 Portability of long service leave rights  
• 110 Resignation to contest election  
• 111 Immunity from personal liability  

PART 9.6--AUTHORISED PERSONS

Division 1--Appointment of authorised persons

• 112 Appointment of authorised persons  
• 113 Powers of authorised persons  
• 114 Identity cards for authorised persons  

Division 2--General powers of authorised person

• 115 Power to require statement of name and address  
• 116 Power to enter land or premises  
• 117 Assistance of police  

Division 3--Obstruction of authorised person

• 118 Obstruction  

CHAPTER 10--FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

PART 10.1--RECEIPT AND EXPENDITURE OF MONEY

• 119 Authorised deposit accounts  
• 120 Segregation of certain money  

PART 10.2--INVESTMENT

• 121 Investment  

PART 10.3--COUNCIL BORROWING

• 122 Meaning of borrowing  
• 123 Council's power to borrow  
• 124 Security for borrowing  
• 125 Security over general revenue  

PART 10.4--LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLANS

• 126 Long-term financial plan  

PART 10.5--ANNUAL BUDGETS

• 127 Annual budgets  
• 128 Adoption of budget or amendment  

PART 10.6--ACCOUNTING RECORDS

• 129 Accounting records  
• 130 Availability of records for inspection  

PART 10.7--ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT

• 131 Annual financial statement  
• 132 Reference of annual financial statement for audit  

PART 10.8--AUDIT

Division 1--Auditor

• 133 Auditor  
• 134 Appointment by the Minister  

Division 2--Audit

• 135 Annual audit  
• 136 Other audits  
• 137 Assistance to be provided to the auditor  

PART 10.9--RECTIFICATION ORDERS

• 138 Power of Minister to make rectification order  
• 139 Non-compliance with order  

CHAPTER 11--RATES AND CHARGES

PART 11.1--RATEABILITY

• 140 Categorisation of land  
• 141 Rateable land  
• 142 Conditionally rateable land  
• 143 Urban farm land  
• 144 Exempt land  
• 145 Special cases  
• 146 Apportionment where land rateable for part only of a financial year  

PART 11.2--BASIS FOR ASSESSMENT OF RATES

• 147 Allotments  
• 148 Basis of rates  
• 149 Basis of assessed value  

PART 11.3--LIABILITY FOR RATES

• 150 Joint and several liability  
• 151 Principal ratepayer for an allotment  

PART 11.4--ASSESSMENT RECORD

• 152 Assessment record  
• 153 Notifications to be given by ratepayers  
• 154 Correction of record  

PART 11.5--IMPOSITION OF RATES AND CHARGES

Division 1--General and special rates

• 155 General rates  
• 156 Special rates  

Division 2--Charges

• 157 Imposition of charges  

PART 11.6--GENERAL AND PARTICULAR NOTICE

• 158 Public notice  
• 159 Rates notice  
• 160 Discount for prompt payment  
• 161 Payment by instalment  

PART 11.7--INTEREST ON UNPAID RATES

• 162 Accrual of interest on overdue rates  
• 163 Remission of interest  

PART 11.8--RATE CONCESSIONS

• 164 Rate concessions  
• 165 Rate concession to alleviate financial hardship  
• 166 Correction of anomalies in operation of rating system  
• 167 Public benefit concessions  

PART 11.9--RECOVERY OF RATES

Division 1--Application of this Part

• 168 Extended meaning of rates in this Part  

Division 2--Recovery by action

• 169 Recovery by action  

Division 3--Overriding statutory charge

• 170 Overdue rates to be a charge on land  
• 171 Registration of charge  
• 172 Effect of registered charge  

Division 4--Sale of land

• 173 Power to sell land for non-payment of rates  
• 174 Pre-conditions of sale  
• 175 Sale of land  
• 176 Proceeds of sale  

PART 11.10--CORRECTION OF ERRORS

• 177 Correction of errors  

CHAPTER 12--COUNCIL PROPERTY

PART 12.1--PROPERTY GENERALLY

• 178 Acquisition of property  
• 179 Assumption of care control and management of land  
• 180 Power to develop and improve land  
• 181 Power to act as trustee  
• 182 Power to deal with and dispose of property  

PART 12.2--RESERVES AND CEMETERIES

• 183 Reserves  
• 184 Public cemeteries  

PART 12.3--ROADS

• 185 Roads  
• 186 Care control and management of roads  
• 187 Closing of roads  

CHAPTER 13--REGULATORY POWERS

PART 13.1--BY-LAWS

• 188 Power to make by-laws  
• 189 Principles applying to by-laws  
• 190 Making by-laws  
• 191 Model by-laws  
• 192 Register of by-laws and certified copies  

PART 13.2--REGULATORY ORDERS

Division 1--Categories of regulatory order

• 193 Visual pollution  
• 194 Mitigation of hazard or nuisance  
• 195 Animals and activities involving animals  

Division 2--Regulatory orders generally

• 196 Review of orders  
• 197 Time for carrying out work under regulatory order  
• 198 Non-compliance with order  

CHAPTER 14--REPORTING AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

PART 14.1--ANNUAL REPORTS

• 199 Annual reports  

PART 14.2--PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION

• 200 Information to be publicly available  
• 201 Suppression of certain information  

CHAPTER 15--COMPLIANCE REVIEWS AND INVESTIGATIONS

PART 15.1--INSPECTORS

• 202 Inspectors  
• 203 Identity cards for inspectors  
• 204 Functions of an inspector  

PART 15.2--COMPLIANCE REVIEW

• 205 Program of compliance reviews  
• 206 Carrying out of compliance review  
• 207 Agency must report on results of compliance review  

PART 15.3--INVESTIGATIONS

• 208 Investigations  

PART 15.4--POWERS OF INSPECTOR

• 209 Power of entry and access  
• 210 Power of formal questioning  
• 211 Inspector's report  

PART 15.5--AGENCY'S POWER TO REMEDY IRREGULARITY

• 212 Power to commence proceedings to recover loss  
• 213 Power to impose surcharge  
• 214 Recovery of surcharge  

CHAPTER 16--INQUIRIES

PART 16.1--ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION

• 215 Establishment of commission of inquiry  
• 216 Commissioner's terms of office  

PART 16.2--CONDUCT OF INQUIRY

• 217 Conduct of inquiry  
• 218 Evidentiary powers of commission  
• 219 Legal representation  
• 220 Re-opening of inquiry  
• 221 Report of commission of inquiry  

CHAPTER 17--DEFAULTING COUNCILS

PART 17.1--SUGGESTED REMEDIAL ACTION

• 222 Suggested action to remedy deficiencies  

PART 17.2--REQUIRED REMEDIAL ACTION

• 223 Power to require action to remedy deficiencies  

PART 17.3--OFFICIAL MANAGEMENT

• 224 Official management of councils  
• 225 Official manager  
• 226 Election after dismissal of members  

CHAPTER 18--REVIEW AND APPEAL

PART 18.1--INTERNAL REVIEW

• 227 Reviewable decisions  
• 228 Right to apply for review  
• 229 Consideration of application by administrative review committee  
• 230 Council's decision on recommendation  
• 231 Appeal against council's final decision on review  

PART 18.2--APPEAL

Division 1--Local Government Tribunal

• 232 Local Government Tribunal  
• 233 Constitution of Tribunal  
• 234 Registrars of the Tribunal  

Division 2--Evidence and procedure

• 235 Evidence and procedure before the Tribunal  
• 236 Witnesses  

Division 3--Jurisdiction of Tribunal

• 237 Jurisdiction of Tribunal  
• 238 Stay of effect of decisions and orders  
• 239 Costs  

Division 4--Further appeals

• 240 Appeals to the Supreme Court  

Division 5--Rules

• 241 Power to make rules  

CHAPTER 19--MISCELLANEOUS

PART 19.1--LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

• 242 Continuance of the Local Government Association  

PART 19.2--CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

• 243 Application of Criminal Code  

PART 19.3--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

• 244 Commencement of legal proceedings on behalf of council  
• 245 Infringement notice offences  
• 246 Monetary penalties  
• 247 Recovery of damages  

PART 19.4--SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS

• 248 Service of documents on council  
• 249 Service of documents by council  

PART 19.5--EVIDENCE

• 250 Judicial notice to be taken of certain facts  
• 251 Certified copies of minutes  
• 252 Evidence of land ownership  

PART 19.6--MISLEADING REPRESENTATIONS

• 253 Misleading representations  

PART 19.7--CARRYING OUT WORK ON LAND

• 254 Occupier entitled to carry out work on land  
• 255 Owner entitled to re-enter land to carry out work  

PART 19.8--CERTIFICATES OF LIABILITIES, ETC.

• 256 Certificates  

PART 19.9--ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY

• 257 Acquisition of property  

PART 19.10--GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS

• 258 Guidelines  
• 259 Regulations  

CHAPTER 20--REPEALS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

PART 20.1--REPEALS

• 260 Acts repealed  

PART 20.2--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

• 261 Definitions  
• 262 Constitution of new councils  
• 263 Continuation of existing nominees, appointees etc.  
• 264 Continuation of existing councils  
• 265 Special provisions for Top End councils  
• 266 Roads  
• 267 Approved proposal for rating conditionally rateable land in the 2008/2009 financial year  
• 268 Rating limitations for early period of the operation of this Act  
• 269 Dissolution of Binjari Community Government Council  
• SCHEDULE 1
• SCHEDULE 2
• SCHEDULE 3