• decides on matters that affect the whole country
• also called the Commonwealth Government
• the leader is the prime minister.

• decides on matters that affect each state
• is called the territory government in the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory
• the leader is the premier or chief minister.

• an individual local government is called a council
• each council plays an important role in improving the liveability and sustainability of each community by providing many of the services and facilities used every day
• the leader is the mayor.

Councils encourage and attract industry to their region to help create jobs for local people.

Queensland councils own and manage public infrastructure worth at least $41 billion. While it is council’s responsibility to manage this infrastructure, the Queensland and federal government may also provide funding to councils to help them implement projects including:

• roads, bridges, footpaths and bikeways
• sewerage collection and treatment
• treatment and distribution of water for domestic and industrial use
• flood control
• other infrastructure as needed, such as gas supply
• airports.

Councils are responsible for regulating activities that affect the quality of the environment and contribute to the overall health of the community including:

• regulation of air, noise and water
• land use planning
• building approvals
• waste disposal
• control of declared pests and noxious weeds.

Councils work with their communities to provide a range of services to enhance social well-being and encourage community involvement including:

• child care centres, family day care schemes and respite services
• arts, cultural and heritage activities
• library services, public housing and community halls
• sporting and recreational facilities
• transport services.

The mayor presides at council meetings and represents the council on formal occasions. The mayor makes sure the council’s chief executive officer carries out council decisions.

Councillors represent the interests of everyone in the community. Their role is to make decisions about facilities and services for the local area and make local laws to help provide a safe and orderly community. Councillors have regular meetings to make decisions and to discuss local issues.

Every council employs a chief executive officer (CEO) who is the link between elected councillors and council employees. The CEO’s job is to implement council policies and decisions, manage council operations and keep councillors informed.

To implement the decisions of councillors, Queensland’s 73 councils employ more than 34,000 employees in occupations such as accountants, animal control officers, community development officers, engineers, environmental health officers, gardeners, librarians, planners and road workers.

Each year property owners must pay rates to their local council. The amount they pay is determined by the ‘rate’ (or cents per dollar) the council applies to the land’s valuation. Councils can also charge a levy for services provided such as water supply, sewerage services and garbage collection.

Some council services involve a fee. These include dog registrations, public swimming pool fees, rubbish tip charges, and council hall hire.

Councils receive grants and subsidies from the state and federal governments that usually represent a percentage of the cost of a project. Sometimes, the council can decide how it will spend the grant and at other times, the grant is for a specific purpose. For example, a road grant must be used for roadwork. Councils also receive money to help them meet some of the costs of providing important infrastructure such as water supply and showground facilities.

Like everyone else, councils can borrow money for major projects.