Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Local Government Act 1989 - SECT 1

PART 1 PRELIMINARY

Preamble

1. Preamble



(1) Section 74A(1) of the Constitution Act 1975 provides that local government
is a distinct and essential tier of government consisting of democratically
elected Councils having the functions and powers that the Parliament considers
are necessary to ensure the peace, order and good government of each municipal
district.

(2) It is the role of Councils in exercising those functions and powers to
work in partnership with the Governments of Victoria and Australia.

(3) It is necessary to ensure that the Councillors who comprise each Council
are democratically elected by persons entitled to vote at municipal elections
and that the Council is responsible and accountable to the local community.

(4) It is the role of the Council to provide governance and leadership for the
local community through advocacy, decision making and action.

(5) It is essential that there is a legislative framework that provides for
Councils to be accountable to their local communities in the performance of
functions and the exercise of powers and the use of resources.

(6) The purpose of this Act is to establish a legislative scheme that supports
the system of local government in accordance with Part IIA of the Constitution
Act 1975.