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Council overviewContents The Electoral Roll and Electing a Council Chief Executive Officer/Town Clerk Council Meetings and Open Forum Sessions
Who We Are Operating under the Northern Territory Local Government Act it is charged with the 'Peace, order and good government of its council area and has the control and management of that good government'. The Local Government Act authorises local councils to make appropriate by-laws for local people and communities. It is important for these to provide long term solutions rather than temporary relief to minor problems. The Darwin municipality covers over 14,000 hectares and its population is nearing 72,000. Some 40,000 electors are on the electoral roll. The role of the Council is to provide public services, make wise decisions in the interests of the community in a balanced way for the greatest benefit, to initiate, coordinate and serve as a catalyst for local effort, and to represent the community in the State/Territory and national contexts. The Council is made up of 13 Elected Members, one of whom is the Lord Mayor, and all are elected by the people. Elections are held every four years, the next one due March 2008. The Council is a major employer in Darwin, employing approximately 290 staff. It operates from the Civic Centre in Harry Chan Avenue, four public libraries and from service depots in the northern suburbs and in Bishop Street. The three departments are Corporate Services, Community Services and Technical Services. The Services We Provide The Technical Services Department is responsible for carparking, cemeteries, Council buildings, drainage, environmental management, parks and reserves, roads, town planning input, traffic management and waste management. The Corporate Services Department oversees city centre management, economic development, financial services, human resources management, the information systems, property services, records, risk management, sister cities and tourism. Council's Community Services Department is responsible for animal liaison, arts and culture, community planning, community support services, dogs legislation, parking control, public libraries, recreation and regulatory services. Council Services in Quick Reference The Darwin City Council either provides or assists in the provision of:
How Council is Funded This Council has some 28,960 rateable properties and a budget in the order of $50 million. The Darwin City Council is a corporate body. It has an unimproved value of $2.854 billion. In exercising its statutory powers the Council decides each year upon the level of rates and how its funds are spent. Formal budgets are prepared each year and the rates are set in August. Program budgeting has been introduced and this provides instant access and information on the costs associated with each individual program. Full sets of budget papers are always available for public scrutiny in Council's four public libraries and at the Civic Centre. A full set of budget papers is obtainable from Corporate Services for the fee of $27.50 (It is best to phone first to enable the papers to be available when you wish to collect them.) Council's Goal Community participation and community consultation are high priorities on every agenda and the Council works hard at keeping the community informed of its intentions and matters under consideration. Council acts responsibly and with integrity in the interests of the community, and makes representations for and on behalf of the community as and when the need arises. A corporate plan helps to make these processes possible and effective. Planning, policy forming and administration have been the foundations upon which Darwin's management structure has been built. Council's Vision
The First Council The Municipality An annual election providing for the Mayor and half of the Council members to be retired at each election, was also introduced at this time. In 1959 an Ordinance provided that the Municipality of Darwin be constituted a city and named 'The City of Darwin'. The Ward System On 29 March 1972 the election of ten Aldermen, two from each of the Wards, and one Mayor was introduced. After Cyclone Tracy Those who returned faced a city where over 90 per cent of the buildings were severely damaged, if not completely destroyed. These men and women lived in caravans and makeshift or temporary accommodation, rebuilding the city around them. As a result of Cyclone Tracy, all Wards were abolished in 1975 and it was not until 1978 that Wards were re-introduced. Darwin's four Wards are Chan, Lyons, Richardson and Waters. The election of one Mayor and twelve Aldermen, three from each ward, was also introduced at this time. The Coat of Arms A colony was established on Australia's northern shores primarily to ensure British ownership of this part of Australia. In fact, the original northern settlement consisted mainly of an army regiment party. Thus the first reason for Darwin's existence stemmed from the necessity of defence, and is represented in its Arms with the castle or fort. In selecting a suitable site for a settlement, consideration had to be given to port facilities. The sailing ship signifies that an important factor in selecting the site of Darwin was the existence of natural port facilities, and the sailing ship indicates that the year of establishment was prior to the days of steam. Darwin's early life was subject to many setbacks. Its first real boost was the advent of the Overland Telegraph Line - this was incorporated in the original design of the Arms, but was not accepted by the Kings of Arms and had to be amended. Darwin's next promotion was its airport. This is represented by the old style propeller, indicating Darwin's selection as an airport site early in its life. On the base of the shield is the encircled star, which is from the Arms of Charles Darwin, after whom the city was named. Another interesting feature of the shield is the gateway within the fort. This represents the idea of Darwin being the gateway to and from Australia. Finally, the masonry on the walls of the fort bears a number of crosses. This signifies the important role the Church had in the development of this city. The Supporters of the Arms: On the left the Australian Aborigine, representing the early inhabitants of the Darwin area, and on the right, a miner, who depicts an important industry which aided Darwin's growth. The Crest: A compass is surmounted on the crown, its northerly point is particularly highlighted. This represents Darwin's position as a northern city. The word 'Progrediamur' at the base of the arms means 'Let us go forward'. The DCC Logo The new logo came into being as the result of a competition conducted under the auspices of Council and the Darwin Tourist Promotion Association (now the Darwin Region Tourism Association). The colours and design in green, blue and white are to represent Darwin's vegetation, the blue skies, the tropics and the sea .The design is crisp and 'clean'. The move for local councils to use simplified and modern images is quite widespread in Australia.
Dragonfly Logo The appearance of the Dragonfly in Darwin skies has always been recognised as a sign that change is in the air. The change from Wet to Dry and the change from Cyclone weather to clear skies. For Council, the Dragonfly will herald the change from the old to the new.
Territory Local Council's There are six municipalities, 32 community government councils, 30 incorporated 'association' councils and two special purpose towns (Jabiru and Nhulunbuy) in the Territory. The Local Government Act recognises community governments as full and equal partners in the third sphere of government in Australia, with the same (or more) powers and functions available. The Darwin City Council is part of Local Government which is the third sphere of Government after the Federal and State Governments. Darwin City Council operates under the provisions of the Northern Territory Local Government Act 1993. The Darwin City Council and the Department of Housing and Local Government have a publication called Local Government in the Northern Territory which provides very much more detail. By-Laws Darwin's Four Wards The Electoral Role & Electing Council Elections are based on the full preferential voting system in that the successful candidate is the one who wins 50 per cent plus "1" of the total valid first preference votes. The Lord Mayor is elected by the whole community. Elected Members When a community elects a council it does so in the knowledge that the Elected Members that have been chosen will be making decisions which will affect in one way or another the daily life of the whole community. The primary function of Elected Members is to represent the electors - the community. Local Government is the form of government closest to its electors and many of its decisions will affect their daily life. The Elected Member has a duty to present the views of the electors, but must also try to take an overall approach to issues where necessary. In return, the Elected Member is the council representative to the electors and must advise them of council policy and explain the basis upon which such policy is decided. The needs and desires of the community are constantly changing and evolving and the Elected Member must be prepared to initiate new council policies and activities in the best interest of the electors and the community. The Elected Members must weigh council matters and decide upon policies which the council administration will then carry through. They may initiate or decide upon council policy, but part of their role is also to re-evaluate that policy from time to time. Members must monitor the implementation of council policy and assess whether that policy is actually fulfilling the community needs at any given time. Elected Members are involved in the preparation and adoption of the annual budget. Throughout the year they receive regular reports to enable them to review council finances and ensure that the council is adhering to the adopted budget. The Lord Mayor The first Lord Mayor of Darwin was Dr Ella Stack, who served as the Mayor of Darwin from May 1975 to November 1979, and Lord Mayor from November 1979 until May 1980. The council also appoints a Deputy Lord Mayor or Mayor. The Deputy is chosen from within the council by the other members from time to time as may be necessary. The Deputy acts in the office of Lord Mayor or Mayor in his/her absence. Where the Deputy Mayor is not available to act, another Member chosen by the council may act in the office of the Mayor (section 36 of the Act). Darwin City Council also has an Assistant Deputy Lord Mayor. The Lord Mayor or Mayor is the head of the elected council and is regarded as the first citizen of the city. His/her full title at the Darwin City Council is 'The Right Worshipful, the Lord Mayor of Darwin', and is addressed as 'My Dear Lord Mayor' in correspondence and 'Lord Mayor' in person. The role of the Lord Mayor is to:
The Chief Executive Officer The Act states that the Clerk is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the council and is responsible to the council for the execution of its decisions. The primary role of the CEO is therefore to implement council policy, with the help of the staff. The CEO is the manager of council's day-to-day affairs. The CEO is responsible for the control and direction of all council officers and employees. He/she also acts as secretary to the council and has a statutory obligation to ensure the minutes of all council meetings are recorded.
Rates If the Unimproved Capital Value multiplied by the general rate in the dollar produces a rate of less than the minimum amount payable by way of rates set by Council, then the minimum rate applies. The Unimproved Capital Value is the value of the site without any improvements. The value is based on the zoning and size of the property and market forces. Rates Help Fund:
Council Meetings & Open Forum Sessions An Open Forum Session is held before each Ordinary Council Meeting, at 4.30pm. This is an informal, friendly opportunity to discuss any problems or issues or to ask any questions of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. Questions to Council may be formally put by anybody at any of the monthly Ordinary Meetings. The questions, however, must be in writing and should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer/Town Clerk and be received by 12 noon the working day before the meeting. If you are able to attend the meeting, your question and the answer to it will be formally read out at the beginning of the meeting. If you are not present, the information will be sent to you in writing. Any number of questions can be put at the Open Forum sessions and none of these need to be with notice. The sessions are informally chaired by the Lord Mayor and att-ended by available Aldermen and senior staff. Matters coming before each Ordinary Council Meeting are listed in the business papers with background papers, available for public access and viewing at any of Council's four public libraries and at the Civic Centre. The Council Standing Committees also all meet on a regular basis, usually a couple of weeks before the Ordinary Council Meeting. Members of the public are often invited by the chairperson of the various committees to present their concerns in person, as appropriate, and residents are welcome to seek permission from chairmen to attend. The Elected Members represent the community and provide a community voice at all these meetings. There is a very distinct pattern to the monthly meeting process: staff prepare the reports and background material and make recommendations, the committees discuss and either agree or amend the recommendations for presentation to the Ordinary Council Meetings and the Council then votes on the matters at hand and the decisions are made. Council Committees There are also a number of Management Committees and Advisory Committees. Each Standing Committee has various areas of responsibility and meets on a regular basis before each monthly General Council Meeting. The recommendations made at these committees go to full Council at the end of the month when the final decision or future direction of the matter is decided. Technical Services Committee
Community Services Committee
Committee Responsibilities:
Corporate Services Committee
Committee's Responsibilities:
Town Planning Committee
Further Information Alternatively, information is also available from the Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre, Harry Chan Avenue, Darwin: Hours 8.00am-5.00pm, weekdays. The role of Council - info sheet Your City Council - info sheet |
Phone: (08) 89 300 300 | Email: dcc@darwin.nt.gov.au | © 2005 Darwin City Council
Last updated on Tuesday, 25 November 2005 | Privacy & disclaimer notice