Councils are large, complex and diverse businesses. They deliver services ranging from building road networks, delivering community services, running commercial businesses, visitor information services, animal management, development and planning control, collecting waste, maintaining open spaces and so on.
To summarise the Local Government Act the functions of a Council include:
- To plan for the development and future requirements of its area;
- To provide services and facilities that benefits its areas, its ratepayers and residents and visitors to the area;
- To provider for the welfare, wellbeing and interests of individuals and groups within its community;
- To take measures to protect its area from natural and other hazards and to mitigate the effects of such hazards;
- To manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment;
- To provide infrastructure for its community;
- To promote its area and to provide an attractive climate for the development of business, commerce, industry and tourism;
- To establish or support organisations or programs that benefit people in its area.
In essence, it is up to each Council, in consultation with its community, to understand the services and facilities required whilst maintaining long term financial sustainability.